October, 2010

Hi lovelies!

In Hollywood, everyone knows the #1 key to youthful, glowing skin is to keep it well hydrated. If your skin feels like it’s one size too small, you’re most likely suffering from dehydration.

Sephora has a quick way to determine if you’re dry: Lay your finger just above the jaw line extending it toward your chin. Then gently glide your finger upward toward the cheekbone. If you notice any sort of crepiness to your skin texture as you move your finger up your face, your skin is parched.

Treat it to a drink of moisture with any one of these ultra-hydrating treatments. YUM!

**All can be found at your local Sephora or online at www.Sephora.com

Clinique Moisture Surge: Extended Thirst Relief- (1.7oz: $34.00, 2.5 oz: $46.50)

I just started using this, and I LOVE it!! You can apply it whenever your skin needs a drink – even over makeup! Perfect for air travel!

What it is: A light, comfortable cream/gel that plumps skin with hydration for a full 24 hours. Fine lines, flakiness and tightness are washed away. In their place—a sense of supple, firm, vibrant well-being, even through shifts in humidity. One ‘drink’ and skin looks and feels happier, healthier.

*Every day pollution, stress, climatic conditions, air travel, and of course, lack of fluids in the system can cause dehydration.

This “Hope in a Jar” was Voted Sephora’s best-selling moisturizer and one of Oprah Winfrey’s top 10 favorite things!

What it is: This soothing essential suits even the most irritated and reactive complexions. It helps relieve dryness and improves the skin’s natural moisture balance. Immediately effective comforting properties especially benefit traumatized, allergy-prone, thin, aging, sun-sensitive, tight, and dehydrated skin types.

*When skin is dehydrated it becomes uncomfortable, more sensitive, and loses its radiance.

NUDE SKINCARE Intense Moisture Mask, $60

When skin is looking extra dull, give it a quick boost with this intensive moisture mask!

What it is: A deeply nourishing mask for intensely dry or delicate skin. Nude Intense Moisture Mask relieves, nourishes, and moisturizes skin, leaving it beautifully soft, supple, and revived for an instantly beautiful complexion.

*Often, fine lines around the eyes and mouth are a sign of dehydration, rather than aging.

BOSCIA Intensifying Moisture Pack + – $30

This one’s definitely on my “to-buy” list with yummy ingredients like aloe leaf and jojoba leaf!

What it is: This multi-action moisture infusion, containing a nutrient-rich marine complex and comforting aloe leaf, instantly energizes dry, stressed complexions. Organic jojoba leaf, a powerful antioxidant, and willowherb, a unique anti-irritant, help soothe sensitivities and protect your skin from environmental damage.

Antiaging amino acids, serine and alanyl-glutamine, replenish intense hydration while promoting vital skin cell rejuvenation for softer, younger-looking skin. Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

*Skin becomes more dehydrated in the fall and winter months, so be sure to moisturize daily and treat your skin to an extra hydrating treatment once a week if really dry!

FRESH Rose Face Mask, Hydrating Mask with Rose Petals, $55

I LOVE this one by FRESH- One of my all-time faves! I can exfoliate and apply at night and wake up with super plump rehydrated skin – It’s sooo yummy!!

What it is: A hydrating and toning gel mask that contains real rose petals.  It restores suppleness and radiance to the skin. The first-of-its-kind formula contains real rose petals that literally melt into your skin.

The formula contains 50% pure rose floral water and is enriched with cucumber extract, rose oil, aloe vera, and porphyridium cruentum (a “smart” algae that seeks out the areas of your skin that needs moisture the most). WOW!

Ok all my fresh-faced beauties, be sure to help these treatments along by drinking plenty of water, eating your veggies and replenishing electrolytes with sports drinks like Gatorade.

Peace, Love and Sexiness!

Angie O

Halloween is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than to take a look back at some songs that have creeped us out over the years! Let’s check out some eerie, throwback tunes in honor of this haunted weekend!

If there’s something strange in my neighborhood, chances are, I’m calling the police. But according to Ray Parker, Jr., a quick call to the Ghostbusters will rid your surroundings of all things weird.

You can even call the Ghostbusters when you’re seeing things “running through your head.”  This information will come in handy in the event you start
hallucinating. It’s too bad, though, their number isn’t listed.

The First Family of Goth had never been so hip until they met MC Hammer. The baggy pant, shiny shoed, hip hop guru put a trendy twist on the dark family with his hit, “Addams Groove.”  The track, which was a part of the Addams Family Movie soundtrack, had crossover appeal and proved that Hammer was really as legit as he claimed.

No other song or video has captivated the world the way Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” did and continues to do.  Each time the Making of Thriller comes on television, I am just as fascinated with and interested in the documentary as if seeing it for the first time. The King of Pop. “Thriller.” ‘Nuff said.

Rockwell Gordy’s biggest hit was, “Somebody’s Watching Me,” but for the
longest time, I thought the eerie track was a Michael Jackson song. However, Michael Jackson is singing backup vocals on the 1984 single. How, you wonder, did anyone manage to get The Michael Jackson to sing back up on a song? Well, Rockwell Gordy is the son of uber famous, Motown founder, Barry Gordy.  Must be good to have parents in high places!

Okay. So who remembers dreading after school piano lessons because there never seemed to be enough time between lessons to rehearse your assigned music? I was the undisciplined student who skimmed over the sheet music 30 minutes before my class.

Well, one song I remember slaving over was “Toccata & Fugue in D Minor.” J.S. Bach’s spooky  piece has been the scary theme music to numerous shows and movies. Death seems imminent every time those haunting organ notes are played.

“Tha Crossroads” was the 90’s chart topper from rap group, Bone Thugs N Harmony. Dedicated to their mentor, Eazy E, after his untimely death, Bone sings/raps about the afterlife in this classic. The grim reaper has an eerie cameo in the video, so it’s definitely not the kind of video you want to watch by yourself at night.

With these scary hits and some trick or treating, your holiday weekend will be spooktacularly complete! Happy Halloween, everybody!

Be sure to check back often for more of the latest music news and features from Erica Renee Davis right here at Positively Celebrity.

Katherine Heigl appears in the November issue of Redbook wearing her own Rails “Kendra” shirt in magenta plaid.

Looking casual and comfortable in the lightweight cotton gauze plaid, the Life As We Know It actress was photographed with husband Josh Kelly and daughter Naleigh at their Utah home.

An avid fan of the line, Katherine has been spotted wearing Rails’ chic plaids on numerous occasions.

Boutique to You has this adorable shirt for sale, along with other great colors and patterns. Click on the link below to purchase, and be sure to check back often for more of the latest celebrity fashion trends right here on Positively Celebrity.

Kid Cudi is no stranger to controversy. The hip-hop artist, born Scott Mescudi on January 30, 1984 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, has had a much publicized “beef” with singer Wale, got thrown off of the Lady Gaga 
tour because of a physical altercation with a fan, and was arrested in
 June after a drunken tantrum in a young woman’s Chelsea apartment.

Though these incidents may seem to paint the talented musician as a
 loose cannon, a closer look shows a much different story, that of a young 
man going through a wild year but ready to right the ship.

The “beef” with Wale started over a line on one of Wale’s songs, and 
seems to be more media driven than anything.  Cudi
 explains it simply: “I vibe with certain people and some people I
 don’t.”  Wale, the D.C. based rapper who was recently featured with Kid
 Cudi and Drake in GQ’s Men of the Year issue, stated, “It’s a line, a 
freestyle…It’s just a rap. It wasn’t no malice out of it.”

As far as
 the incident with a fan during the Gaga tour, the altercation was in
 response to objects being thrown at Cudi during his set. The fan with
 whom Cudi fought later made nice with the artist, and was actually brought
 out onto stage by Cudi at the Sasquatch Music Festival in
 Washington to show all was forgiven.

The drunken tantrum and arrest,
 most damaging of all the shenanigans the artist was involved with this
 year, also seems to have turned out to be nothing: His criminal
 mischief charge was dismissed outright and a possession charge is 
pending dismissal in six months if he stays out of trouble and
 performs two days of community service.

Though trouble seems to have found the artist in spades, Cudi is
 determined to change his life for the better. Vada, Cudi’s first child,
 was born in late March and he credits her addition to his life as the 
driving force for quitting his recreational drug use and partying. “I
 want to be around for her,” Cudi says. “I can honestly say she was the
 wake-up call.”

“I’m a lot happier — things are in better order and there’s peace
 within my crew and within myself. I feel I had to go through the fire 
to get here and I wouldn’t change my experiences for the world. At 
this point, I’m locked in,” the artist stated.  ”What doesn’t kill us 
makes us stronger — that’s a fact. Even in death no one will stop me
 from being great. That’s all I know.”

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are rooting for Kid Cudi with his
 recent lifestyle change, and wish him incredible success on the
 release of his sophomore effort, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr.
 Rager, due in stores November 9 (above is the just released album 
art).

You can also see Cudi soon on the upcoming season 2 of HBO’s How
 To Make it in America, currently filming.

Ask someone in Los Angeles what they do for a living, and they’ll most likely respond, “I’m an actor”.

In fact, many of those people have traveled across town, across the country, or even across the world to pursue a dream. A dream, that at one point in their lives was an independent, far-fetched, even outrageous goal, has now become an idea shared by the majority…So how do they make themselves stand out in a saturated industry? And what does it take to turn that common dream into a reality?

In comes John Sarno, top Hollywood acting coach and mentor.

An established actor himself, John has been featured in many projects including roles in the television series, Kojak, and the motion picture, The Seven Minutes, which he received a Golden Globe nomination for.

Though successful, John’s journey has not been easy. That’s why he has now focused his attention on teaching others how to achieve their goals, in the simplest, most efficient way possible.

For over 35 years, John has taught hundreds of students everything they need to know about acting — including many of the celebrities we know and love today. In his workshops, John encourages his students to find their full ability, rather than focusing on a specific talent. And believe it or not, he says it can be done in as little as two hours!

I got an exclusive interview with John to talk about his love of acting, advice for aspiring actors, and the secret to success.

What can students get out of taking your workshops, as opposed to the others offered all around Los Angeles?

I focus on getting people ready quickly with a rock bottom technique. It took a lot of years of studying myself, and as I got older I could see the progression of how students wanted to learn. I realized that they want to learn really fast because they have a very good sense of images.

So in the workshops, I give them exercises to strengthen that so they get out of their critic. They get out of their judgmental side.  I find lately that it’s really becoming necessary to give people the information real quick… and I’ve seen people come for a two hour lesson and go and get booked.

I teach them that the first four to seven seconds, that’s your audition. Everything is fast.  I teach people a lot of exercises to get in touch with themselves so that they can fuse together themselves with the character. I find that rather than stretch it out level number one…level number two…level number three…people learn real quick.   If they want to stay on with me over long periods of time, fine, but I don’t hook them that way, I’m not a chiropractor.

Basically my dream was that everybody could study acting and that it could be available for people who didn’t really have a lot of money. I’m about helping you get where you need to be as soon as possible, and since I have thought this way, the results are wonderful.

What is your technique?

You have to know where your fear is, you have to know where your hopes and dreams are, you have to know your secrets. Once you know those three things, and you break the script down like a pie, you don’t have to interpret the script…you have to execute it.

And once you show them the reference points, once you show them the images, once you show the person how to look at the material and not get blown away because they see a monologue — they see all those words and they freak out. The average person freaks out.  The first thing a person thinks of is ‘I have to memorize.’ And then when they memorize, they look and feel like they’re not really being there, they’re not themselves.

So I start with them slating their name, and most people slate their name like they have a gun in their hand, like ‘My name is, and I’m eight years old’ and its horrible! So I try to get them to relate on a relationship level. I think it really focuses on getting people to be themselves, and learning the structures of the script…learning how to focus, and learning how to remember that it’s not about them, it’s about the other person. It’s about the audience, it’s about what you’re delivering, what you’re sending out there. And also try to understand that you are enough.

Some people work for years until they finally get their big break, or even just a break in general….but you make it all sound so easy. At what part in your career did you realize this formula to success?

Well, I had a lot of trouble even though I was nominated twice and I worked from 1964 — back when I started out in Hollywood, auditioning and auditioning and auditioning. When I started to see the audition process change…when I started to see that it was really about slating your name and that the producers knew right away, the casting people knew right away what they wanted.

I realized, even with all of my co-star credits – I walked in there with a nice resume and all – that sometimes they only wanted to hear one line. Or I’d go in and there was every kind of person in the room, none of them looking like me and I thought why am I here?  I started to realize that if a person comes to show business, the first thing they have to realize is the word audition doesn’t mean anything anymore. It’s a job interview, and they have to be ready to do the job.

Realize that you’re not going to get a lot of feedback. People do not have time, and now they don’t have the money or the time. Everything is on tape, and this thing is really changing, fast.

So it sounds like you’ve struggled a lot with typecasting, and I’m sure a lot of actors in the industry can relate to this problem. Have you ever had to take that extra step in order to stand out?

I kind of begged the casting director for Zodiac, I said “Please, please let me audition.” said, “You’re wrong for it. You have dark hair”. I said “I’ll make my hair light.” So I put toothpaste all over my hair and I went there and she said, “What is it with you?” And I said, “I want to work with David Fincher. He’s a great director, I want to do Zodiac.”

So she said “Its one little part”, and I said, “Let me do it”.

I auditioned twice. And I realized wow, to get two lines, three lines, I’m going have to really, really be there. She told me, “Mr. Sarno, we don’t have a lot of money.” So I told her I’m not here for money. She said, “Let’s read it one more time.” Then… she told me I got it.

That’s when I started to realize, I may have to go in and do one line on a commercial, and not get it.  I realized that the audition…that was it. Not the call back, not the job, not the feedback, none of that stuff that actors think when they come to Hollywood or wherever they live. Its about, you were called in to show what you can do and that’s it. That’s it.

The casting director of The Guiding Light once told you, “Unfortunately, talent guarantees nothing in this business now”. I’ve also been informed that casting directors already know what they want before they even send out the breakdown. So for example, even if they write “all ethnicities”, they may have it in their head that they want a blonde hair, blue eyed model-type…so my headshot wouldn’t even get a second glance. Is this true? And if so, should all talented people give up hope?

No. This woman just told me, “…But my daughter is so talented.” And I said to her, “Please listen to me for a moment. Talent is not what’s going to get her there. You cannot walk around thinking that your daughter is talented. Think about what your daughter needs to learn in order to get the job. And then after she gets the job, she’s talented.”

I’ve done it. People would say to me, “Oh you’re so talented you’re so creative.” That never got me a job. I got the job because I put toothpaste in my hair and I went in and did it two times. People are walking around thinking they have talent.  They may have talent. But if you go in that room, and you’re not yourself, and you’re not showing your ability, and you’re relying on your talent…well, I translate talent to the word instinct. You have to have great instinct.

For other struggling actors out there who are determined to make it in this business, even after numerous years with not a whole lot to show for it, what would be your advice?

I think it’s important to have a good manager or agent, and I think they’re hard to find. You need to have a manager or an agent who will just calm the pavements for you and start the buzz and build a resume. And of course be willing to go in there and audition and maybe not get it. Commercials are a great way in because then everybody sees you.

So you say it takes just two hours of training. Do your students ever have a hard time processing all of this valuable information in just two hours?

Yes. And I don’t want to be judgmental, but if they have the critic in their head controlling their life, it’s going be very difficult. Unless they realize that that’s what’s going on and they have to learn to balance that negative voice, because that critic is never satisfied and the critic knows everything about you.

No matter what you do, the critic is going to tell you no — you’re too short, you’re too old, you’re too this, you’re too that. So I would say that it’s very important to deal with that part of the anatomy. Also if people are very ego’ed out, I think they’re motivated for the wrong reason. The greatest people that ever performed, whether it’s music or modeling, do it for a reason having to do with helping the public in a way.

Everybody needs money and everybody wants success, we know that. But if it gets to be just me, me, me, those people can’t process things.

You’ve taught countless aspiring actors who are successful in the business right now. Who are some of those people and what are their success stories?

Margaret Avery from The Color Purple and I have been friends for 30 years. I showed Margaret the heat exercise, and she got an Academy Award nomination. And she’ll brag about it, and it was simple. That simple.

I got a call yesterday from Mark Kerry who won three gold medals in the Olympics. He did 250 commercials with me, and his daughter Maddy just landed a series. He’s flying in next week so she could take a two hour lesson.

And Rick Springfield has done really well with me the past two years.

So what does it really take? What is the secret to success in this crazy town we call Hollywood?

I would say passion. An incredible sense of the truth. A tremendous respect for other people that are truthful. And appreciation for other people working instead of jealousy and envy.

Not thinking in terms of competition, but thinking in terms of giving. Either you were given a gift or not. A person has to come to the realization that I was given a gift and I have a responsibility. Somewhere along the line you need the discipline to go out and fight.  Nobody’s going to hand you anything.

For more information on how to sign up for classes with John Sarno, visit http://www.johnsarnostudio.com.  You can also purchase his new DVD “Learn to Act in Two Hours” at http://www.hollywoodacting.com.

A bevy of beautiful women turned out to celebrate the 17th Annual Elle’s Women in Hollywood last week.  The annual event celebrating successful and inspiring actresses saluted Jodi Foster, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Hilary Swank, Sofia Coppola, Diane Kruger, Kerry Washington, Diane Keaton and newcomer Jessica Chastain.

I spent this past weekend at LA Fashion Market checking out at all the hot new trends for Spring (yep, I’m already thinking a few months ahead), seeking those staple collections that everyone must have in their closet.

With my search, I had a particular criteria in mind:

1. High-quality yet affordable

2. Basic enough to mix ‘n match but still unique enough to stand on its own

3. Timeless — nothing trendy that will only last a season.

After going in showroom after showroom, and speaking with many designers and sales representatives, I found myself back at one of my favorite showrooms…Johnny Was.

And that’s where I found Pete & Greta.  Pete & Greta has been around for a couple years now.  It has evolved into this incredible booming line that boutiques and departments stores cannot get enough of (and neither can I!)   I can’t wait to get my hands on the new Pete & Greta!

I love this line enough to say that if I had to live the rest of my life wearing only one clothing line, Pete & Greta would be it. Not only does it fit my three criteria of being a staple for every girls’ closet, but it’s absolutely so comfortable!

The line can be worn casual or dressy, plus it washes amazing (which is HUGE in my book…no money spent on dry cleaning!)

Check out more of the line below and on their official website.

Keep checking back for more of the latest fashion news from Bree Statley right here at Positively Celebrity.

What group snatched Billboard’s #1 spot for the first time, and what tiny little artist’s hair doubles as a paint brush? Check out which music stories were on my radar this week!

This fly track has been on every radio station and countdown since the springtime. But it was this week that Far East Movement’s “Like A G6″ became flyer than second fiddle and topped Billboard’s Hot 100 charts as #1. Though they might seem like an overnight sensation, the guys of Far East have been grooving together since 2003, and their music has been featured in both films and in television.

Thanks to these hipsters for giving us one of this year’s hottest dance cuts and for calling out all those sober girls who “be actin like they drunk.” Everyone, after all, hates when a girl fakes being “slizzard.”

It’s not often an artist sells 9 million copies of their debut album in 6 short weeks. But considering her tenacity and unbelievable voice, it’s not surprising that Susan Boyle was able to do just that.

From an amazing run on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 to a heartwarming appearance on Oprah this week, Boyle’s quick rise to fame is largely because the world is fascinated with a quintessential Plain Jane’s ability to sing like an angel. On Oprah, Boyle performed “Don’t Dream It’s Over” from her forthcoming album, The Gift, which will be released on November 10.

In 2006, OK Go’s precedent setting “Here It Goes Again” put excitement back into watching music videos.

And last month, they proved that creativity still rules the roost in the Ok Go camp. Using IKEA furniture as props (which, surprisingly enough, didn’t crumble to pieces mid-video) and trained rescue dogs as a part of the meticulously choreographed piece, OK Go wows us again with their video release for song, “White Knuckles.” Making me love the song even more is the fact that it sounds like an old school Prince hit!

We’ve been waaaaaaaiting, and Willow Smith finally released her video for “Whip My Hair” this week.

And just like we knew it would, the pint-sized, trendsetter’s video has become a web sensation. Additionally, the song has peaked at #17 on Billboard’s Hip Hop/R&B charts, so at 9 years old, Willow has us checking for her style and her music.

To experience the best live performances by your favorite Reggaeton artists, you must check out the Machete Music Tour 2010.  The shows will feature Jowell & Randy and Ivy Queen…

…and Flex and Don Omar.

Machete’s line-up of Latin acts opened up on October 22 to a sold out Madison Square Garden. The tour brings the flavor West with shows in El Paso, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the next 2 weeks!  Log on to machetemusic.com and ticketmaster.com for detailed info on purchasing tickets!

And be sure to check back for more of my music blogs right here at positivelycelebrity.com!

George Clooney is known for being a famous movie star and practical joker, but the notorious Hollywood lothario has quietly been wearing another hat as of late: advocate for peace.

“If there’s some way to get ahead of this and stop it before it happens, we better,” Clooney said after his meeting with the President.

The actor, who is also a U.N. Ambassador of Peace, also called for help from other countries and Muslim states. “Real diplomacy, robust real diplomacy means you get the British, the French, everybody together,” he said.  “It would be nice to have as much involvement as we could from an Arab state. It would make a very big difference in the negotiating and Egypt is certainly a huge player in this.” The Sudan region has been beget by violence almost constantly through it’s history, with an estimated 2.5 million people killed since 1956 and 4 million people internally displaced or forced to become refugees.

Michelle Trachtenberg walked the red carpet at Elle’s 17^th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute wearing Voom by Joy Han’s Sharon dress.

Celebrating the women that make Hollywood such a special place, Michelle joined Jodie Foster, Kate Hudson, Diane Kruger, Sofia Coppola, Hilary Swank and other incredible women who have contributed so much to the industry.

Featuring feminine rose and ruffle detailing, the Gossip Girl star looked sexy yet sophisticated in the eggplant colored tube dress. Michelle is a fan of Voom by Joy Han and has worn the stylish line for various recent entertainment events.

With or without a jacket, this deliciously cute dress always looks great.  Get the Voom by Joy Han dress at www.shoprumor.com

Keep checking back for more celebrity style, right here at Positively Celebrity.