Singer LeAnn Rimes is speaking out about a devastating illness she hid for most of her life: psoriasis. The country star, 26, was diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune disease at age 2. By age 6 she was covered in red, scaly patches that would crack and bleed. "Not only does that take a physical toll on your body, but it takes an emotional toll," LeAnn tells PEOPLE. "I was very self-conscious."
The struggle was made even harder as a young woman in the public eye. "It's amazing to me how many people say, 'Oh my God, I would never ever have known,'" says LeAnn. "I was hiding it for so long." Symptom-free for five years thanks to medication, diet and stress management, LeAnn is sharing her experience on behalf of the Stop Hiding campaign in a new PSA to raise awareness of the disease, which affects as many as seven million Americans.
She also credits her husband of nearly seven years, Dean Sheremet, with encouraging her to speak out. Says LeAnn: "He gives me the courage to do this."
Source: www.people.com
Some of Country's queens are getting the chance to sing with the King on an upcoming album of Christmas tracks.
Elvis Presley Christmas Duets pairs the voice of Elvis Presley with the likes of Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes – both of whom were born after the musical legend had died. Martina McBride, Sara Evans, and Wynonna Judd also lend their voices to the tunes. Carrie’s 'duets' with Elvis on "I'll be Home for Christmas," while LeAnn takes on "Here Comes Santa Claus" and Martina sings with Elvis on the Presley favorite "Blue Christmas."
Additional tracks include: "Silent Night" with Sara; "Santa Claus is Back In Town" with Wynonna; "Merry Christmas Baby" with Gretchen Wilson; "Silver Bells" with Anne Murray; "White Christmas" with Amy Grant; and "O Little Town" with Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town.
The songs are being recorded in Nashville's RCA Studio B–the same studio where Elvis recorded his original 1971 Christmas sessions. "We are so pleased that these accomplished artists are collaborating with Elvis in this unique way to make exciting new versions of his Christmas songs," Priscilla Presley said in a press release. "I am sure Elvis would be proud to have worked with them."
Tracks from the album will be previewed August 14 during the 2008 Elvis Week in Memphis.
Source: www.people.com
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have just welcomed daughter, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban yesterday, but she's already getting a warm, country welcome from her parents' friends.
Country music star Ronnie Dunn, of Brooks & Dunn, celebrated the Fourth of July with the couple at his home in Nashville, where Nicole Kidman told the singer she was ready to pop. "Nicole told me Friday night that she was hoping that my fireworks would do it," Dunn says. "I'm overjoyed for them."
Fellow country singer and good friend, LeAnn Rimes, says she knows the couple "will be wonderful parents. Nicole and Keith are two of the most kind, caring people I know. I am thrilled for them."
Country singer Taylor Swift was vacationing in Hawaii when she got the news, and she excitedly took to her blog. "Even just thinking about it now, I'm tearing up because I'm so happy for them," she wrote on her MySpace page.
The country phenom added that Nicole and Keith– both Aussie imports – have been welcome additions to the Nashville scene. "They're such incredible people," she gushed. "Nicole Kidman came to Nashville and treated everyone with grace and respect, and has always been so humble. I'm overjoyed for them."
American Idol's Michael Johns was also thrilled for the new parents when PEOPLE broke the news to him. "That's awesome!" he enthused Monday before the A.I. tour stop at the L.A. Staples Center. (The Australian native has become fast friends with the superstar twosome.) "They're genuinely a happy couple – it's not a Hollywood thing," he said. "They really, really do love each other. So anytime a baby can be born into that situation, it's pretty cool."
Source: www.people.com
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