Wearing a short and sparkly black frock with a plunging neckline that had camera operators on high alert for a wardrobe malfunction, Jessica Simpson made her Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday night.
Performing "Come On Over," the first single from her new country album, Do You Know, before a nearly-sold out house that included her parents, her grandparents, aunts and uncles "...from all over Texas," she told Nan Kelley, host of Opry Live, felt "like a homecoming to me."
"I can't believe I am here!" Jess, 28, said. Audience members, it seemed, couldn't believe her costume choice. "I think she should have put some clothes on," one viewer said. While another one responded to how she liked Jessica's performance with: "I loved that new girl, Crystal [Shawanda] – and she was dressed appropriately."
Front-row fan Mandy, who was chosen by GAC out of the audience as "Jessica's biggest fan" and given the chance to go backstage for a meet and greet, gushed,"I think everything she does is perfect. I love her!"
Also helping make Jessica feel at home at the 83-year-old institution was country legend Loretta Lynn, who watched Simpson's emotional performances of "Remember That" and "Sippin' on History" from the wings before taking the stage herself.
Though Jessica, Patty Loveless and newcomer Crystal Shawanda were warmly received, it was Loretta who brought the entire audience to its feet before she sang a single note of her classics "Fist City," "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "The Pill."
During Loretta's feisty performance, Jessica took photos of her long-time hero and visited with her at length in a private office backstage, where Loretta advised the younger star not to read her own press. "Just keep doing what you're doing honey and you'll be fine!"
Opry Live will be re-broadcast through Wednesday on GAC. Jesscia performs on Good Morning America's Fall Concert Series Tuesday morning, and on The View and Late Show with David Letterman Thursday.
Source: www.people.com
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
American Idol alum Kellie Pickler absolutely needs her hair and makeup people, but not because she's a spoiled, demanding diva – because she can't do it herself. "Well, I have a team of highly-trained professionals that get me ready because I can’t do it on my own," she tells OK!. "When I’m out on tour, I usually just do it myself but for TV and photo shoots I usually have people that help get me ready because it’s so stressful anyways."
Kellie admits that she's a simple girl when it comes to makeup, saying "I hate wearing makeup anyway – I don’t ever wear it unless I have to." Although when it comes to mascara, she'll hit up the nearest drug store to stock up on her favorites. "I have 40,000 mascaras," she jokes. "For a girl that doesn’t like makeup, I have a lot."
The natural beauty definitely doesn't need any help from makeup to catch a man either – she's currently dating Nashville musician Kyle Jacobs. The couple keeps it casual when she's home from tour, choosing to relax on the couch instead of hit up wild night clubs and fancy restaurants.
"When I come in off the road, I like to crash and be a bum and sit at home on the couch and just talk," says Kellie. "We don’t really have to be doing anything. We usually just enjoy each other’s company and make each other laugh."
Of fellow American Idol country sensation, Carrie Underwood, Kellie hopes she'll find someone to laugh with too, saying the guy for her should be "someone who’s trusting and funny and a good guy who is going to treat her right."
As for any rumors swirling around Kellie herself, she's got a positive, if not overly generous, attitude: "I’m just glad people are actually talking about me. And when they’re talking bad about me, they’re giving somebody else a break."
Watch Kellie host the CMA Music Festival special, along with fellow country gals Taylor Swift and Julianne Hough, Sept. 8 on ABC.
Source: www.okmagazine.com
Jessica Simpson insists her beau Tony Romo isn't calling his ex Carrie Underwood. "I looked at his call log," she said Wednesday in an interview with a Nashville radio station.
Of Tony, Carrie tells September's Allure: "The phone will ring and it'll be him, and I'll maybe not answer." "Tony and I both laughed at that," Jessica said. "We got a chuckle out of it."
Jessica and Tony seem to be going strong. "Most of the guys I dated were captivated by my heart but they had different ways of trying to get to me," Jess says in September's Elle.
"Tony understands me. He appreciates my talent," she says. "He's the first person I've spiritually connected with.” Tony has been supporting Jessica while she works on her country album, Do You Know, due September 9. "It's the cutest thing," she says.
Source: www.usmagazine.com
How does a country superstar celebrate hitting the 50 million mark in album sales? For Alan Jackson, it was with grits and bologna sandwiches.
Alan's wife, bestselling author Denise, his three daughters and about 400 friends, including Trace Adkins, gathered in Nashville to honor the 49-year-old singer Wednesday night. They were treated to upscale twists on down-home grub as a nod to the man who has a song called "I Still Like Bologna" on his latest album, Good Time.
"This is really rarefied air," Sony BMG Nashville head Joe Galante told the crowd of Jackson's 50 million achievement. Alan – whose first album, Here in the Real World, came out in 1990 – tells PEOPLE that his ambitions weren't so grand in the early days.
"Back then I was just glad to have a record deal," says Alan. "I figured if you could last five years you were lucky, so that was the only goal I could see. This would have been unbelievable." Adds Denise: "We never even dreamed this big."
Alan is fast approaching another milestone: taking his eldest daughter, Mattie, 18, to college. Mattie, who was valedictorian of her high school class, will be a freshman at Wake Forest in North Carolina this fall.
"My wife is a little teary eyed and I might be when the time comes but I just feel like you raise them and prepare them for that and that's what you gear them up to do," the proud father says philosophically. "That's part of life." But, Denise admits, "I'm already feeling the loss!"
Source: www.people.com
Keith Urban says he and wife Nicole Kidman are "stoked" with their one-month old daughter Sunday Rose."She's awesome," he gushed Thursday on Australia's local Jackie O Show on 2DayFM. Nicole said the baby's "reddish" hair reminds her of Keith, but the country crooner insisted their daughter is "a bit of a mix [of Nicole and me]."
She said the baby's July 7 birth in Nashville was "surprisingly" smooth, adding that her mother Janelle "was there with me." Nicole and Keith flew to Australia Wednesday — marking Sunday's first trip to her parents' native country. Nicole — who has not sold her baby's photo — pleaded with Aussie media to give them "a little space so we can walk around Sydney and show the baby our town."
Source: www.usmagazine.com
It's been an up and down summer for country superstars the Dixie Chicks. First came the good news in July that Martie Maguire had given birth to her third child. And now comes the bad news — it has been confirmed that Martie's bandmate and sister Emily Robison and her husband of nine years, country singer Charlie Robison, are divorced.
According to the San Antonio Express-News, the couple filed for divorce in January and the order was finalized yesterday at the Bexar County Courthouse in Texas. A statement released by Charlie's rep says that the former couple, "remain close friends and their family is the priority and will continue to be." Documents filed with the court claim that the marriage had "become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities."
Charlie and Emily were married on May 1, 1999. They have three children together — Charles "Gus" Augustus, 5, and 3-year-old twins Julianna Tex and Henry Benjamin.
Source: www.okmagazine.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
Country superstar, Faith Hill has been tapped again to perform "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night," the opening theme for NBC's Sunday Night Football, beginning with the first regular season game on September 7. "What a thrill it was to be invited back this year," the country singer said in a statement. "I'm a huge football fan and I love being part of the Sunday Night Football family." The song itself is set to the original Joan Jett song "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and was recorded by Faith in Nashville.
In addition to her theme-song duties, Faith will take part in a special – and humorous – ad campaign for the NFL. In the first spot, NFL players prepare snacks for Hill and her girlfriends. "The promo piece is one of the funniest things I have ever seen," the singer said. "Fans will be in for a real treat getting a glimpse of these guys in the kitchen. We had a blast" Faith is the first performer to be asked back to sing the NFL theme since Hank Williams Jr.
Source: www.people.com
Carrie Underwood tops off a phone call with a big grin while out Thursday in Beverly Hills. The singer lunched at Il Fornaio – and followed her meal with a little shopping.
A radiant-in-red Jessica Simpson leaves New York City's Ritz-Carlton hotel Thursday. The newly anointed country singer recently announced that she'll be launching a line of dresses next spring.
Nicole Richie stays cool in her summer-friendly white frock while out in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Richie, who created a tour video for beau Joel Madden's band Good Charlotte, has been busy with a slate of projects lately, including a guest role on NBC's Chuck.
Kim Kardashian makes an eco-conscious fashion statement while running errands Wednesday in Los Angeles. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show Thursday that she "would be honored if [Dancing with the Stars] asked me" to join the next season.
After a trip to the emergency room in Tennessee, country singer Mindy McCready entered rehab for undisclosed reasons, her rep told PEOPLE. "Mindy McCready did receive emergency care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center," says her rep. "Other issues made it prudent for her to seek longer-term and broader-based treatment.” The Nashville hospital confirmed the 32-year-old Mindy was admitted July 16.
The singer, who in April admitted she had a long-term relationship with Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens, has also entered rehab, the rep says. "To her credit, she has entered into an extended-care facility where she will receive the care needed," says her rep. "And for the moment we ask that everyone respect her privacy."
Mindy was jailed in 2007 after violating probation on a 2004 drug arrest. In a recent YouTube video she issued a message to fans: "I miss you guys so much and I can't wait to see you."
Source: www.people.com
It's another girl for Dixie Chick Martie Maguire! Harper Rosie Maguire arrived this morning, Friday July 25th, in Austin, Texas. Weighing in at 7 lbs, 10 oz, and 20.5 inches long, Harper joins fraternal twin big sisters Eva Ruth and Kathleen 'Katie' Emilie, 4.
In a statement on the Dixie Chicks site, Martie, 38, and husband Gareth Maguire, 33, said, Martie is doing very well and Gareth and the family are over the moon. The couple announced the pregnancy in January, sharing that a fall IVF cycle had been successful.
Broadway star and DWTS alum Marissa Jaret Winokur and her husband, King of the Hill writer Judah Miller have welcomed their first child. Marissa's surrogate gave birth to son Zev Isaac Miller on Tuesday, July 22nd. He weighed 8 lbs, 7 oz and was 21 inches long. The new mom shared that "he's got a Winokur face and a Miller body," tearfully adding that "my little miracle baby is here and I can't believe it."
I can't believe I am sitting here next to my baby. This is the one thing that's been missing from our lives. Now our house is really going to be a home. The couple announced the pregnancy in March, with the sex and name of the baby -- which means 'wolf' in Hebrew -- revealed later that month.
Source: www.celebrity-babies.com
Jessica Simpson's first country concert was met with mixed reactions. Audiences booed and clapped as the singer, 28, opened for Sara Evans on Saturday at the Country Thunder USA festival in Randall, Wisconsin. "I don't know what your perception is of Jessica Simpson or what tabloid you buy, but I just want you to know that I'm just a girl from Texas," Jessica told the crowd. "I'm just like you. I'm doing what I love and dating a boy."
She dedicated the tune "You're My Sunday" to beau Tony Romo, who was in the audience, and performed a slew of covers — including Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" — as well as her new single "Come On Over." One concertgoer told the local paper: "I'll have to drink a lot of beer to sit through her concert." Added another: "She's an embarrassment to country music."
Not all were haters. One fan told the paper, "I actually like her country songs better. She has a great voice, plus, she's adorable." Despite the lukewarm buzz, her father Joe recently told Usmagazine.com his daughter — whose album drops September 9 - is ready for country. "It feels really good," he said of her album. "She is extremely happy."
Source: www.usmagazine.com
Two months after her split from producer-songwriter husband, Robert "Mutt" Lange, Shania Twain has found strength in the two things that mean the most to her – her 6-year-old son, Eja D'Angelo, and her music. "She's spending as much time with Eja as possible and hasn't put down her guitar since the split," a source close to singer tells PEOPLE. "The songs are pouring out of her."
No doubt some of them – like many great country songs – are inspired by heartache. Shania, 42, announced her separation from Mutt, 59, in May, after she found out about his alleged affair with one of her best friends.
Twain is also keeping busy shopping and traveling. The now-single singer was recently spotted buying lingerie at a Holt Renfrew store in her native Canada. She's also been to the Caribbean, where she has a villa, and to Switzerland, where she and Mutt once lived together. Last weekend, Canadian fans were surprised to see their homegrown talent whiz through the Toronto airport wearing dark shades, but also sporting a big smile.
Source: www.people.com
Aussie actress Nicole Kidman, 41, and her country singer husband, Keith Urban, 40, just welcomed daughter, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban into the world on Monday, but the little one has more homes that most. The couple brought their daughter home to the Nashville pad they are calling home (seen below) till their 36 acre ranch in the Nashville suburb of Leiper's Fork is finished an extensive remodel. The couple also have been busy selling off the former homes and purchasing others while awaiting their little girl’s arrival.
While Keith sold his former Nashville home, Nicole sold her former home in Australia. The couple just purchased a new property in Sutton Forest, Southern Highlands, Australia (seen below) for reportedly around $6,500,000. That home is just as large as their Nashville ranch with 110 acre, 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. And if that was not enough the couple also added a forth property with a purchase of a home a Beverly Hills, California.
The Los Angeles pad the couple purchased is very different from their large spreads in Tennessee and Australia the couple put down $4,795,000 for the contemporary home on Orchard Road (seen below). The 3,977 square foot house with 5 bedrooms and 4.25 bathrooms is can now say they live close to Jessica Simpson and Kimora Lee Simmons. So let’s hope the new parents are happy with their homes and that their real estate hoping takes a break.
The Cruise family has sent along a present to welcome little Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, PEOPLE has learned. Contrary to some reports that Tom Cruise gave ex-wife Nicole Kidman a "room full of flowers," the actor and his family – including Tom's children with Nicole, Bella, 15, and Connor, 13 – actually sent a huge baby basket to Nashville.
The high-end gift included chenille Giraffe baby blankets, items from the Hermes baby line and other newborn necessities. Nicole, 41, gave birth to Sunday Rose at a Nashville hospital on Monday morning, with husband Keith Urban, 40, by her side for the smooth delivery. "We feel immensely blessed and grateful to be given this beautiful baby girl," the happy couple said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. "She's an absolute delight."
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
American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook recently signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. This will be the second time Kristy, 24, has signed with the label — as a teen she was signed but was dropped before she recorded anything.
Her album, which will arrive in the fall, is being produced by Brett James, who co-wrote Carrie Underwood's hit "Jesus Take the Wheel." The first single, called "15 Minutes of Shame," will be released August 11.
Kristy will record the album this summer while touring with "American Idols Live." The tour kicks off Tuesday in Glendale, Arizona, and runs through September 13.
Source: www.foxnews.com
The red-hot romance of John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston got the thumbs-up from one unlikely source: John's former girlfriend, Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly. Asked how she feels about her ex's new relationship, Minka, 27, told PEOPLE at Wednesday's Rock Bodies event, presented by Self magazine, in New York City: "I'm really happy – as long as they're happy, I am." John, 30, dated Minka for several months late last year.
Justin Timberlake's best friend and business partner, Trace Ayala, is engaged to Reba star JoAnna Garcia, the actress's rep confirms to PEOPLE. Trace, 27, Justin's friend since their childhoods in Memphis, Tennessee, is partners with the singer in New York City's Southern Hospitality restaurant and the William Rast clothing line. JoAnna, 28, Trace's girlfriend for two years, played Reba McEntire's daughter on the sitcom and stars in this fall's new CW series How to Survive the Filthy Rich.
Country singer Sara Evans gave PEOPLE a first look at her photo album from her Saturday wedding to former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker. "It was a fairy-tale wedding," Sara, 37, tells PEOPLE. It was also a family affair: Sara was escorted down the grassy aisle at a Tennessee farm by her three children, son Avery, 8, and daughters Olivia, 5, and Audrey, 3.
Jay's kids – Andrew, 9, Braxton, 8, and twins Sarah Ashlee and Harrison, 6 – gave him away. The day after the wedding, the Barker Bunch were back home, grilling steaks and watching movies together. "We wanted this week to be just us together as a family because next week we go on our honeymoon," says Sara. "We just want to relish every moment as a family." Next up for Sara and her children is a move to Birmingham, Alabama, where Jay, 35, works as a sports radio host. Says Jay: "I can't believe we get to spend the rest of our lives together."
Source: www.people.com
Taylor Swift is teaming with Miley Cyrus and dad Billy Ray Cyrus for Hannah Montana: The Movie, Taylor tells PEOPLE. "I'm making a cameo," says the 18-year-old, "so I'm so excited about that. I'm playing one of my own songs and just in the background of one of the scenes."
Although one of country's hottest new stars, Taylor doesn't mind sharing the spotlight in the Disney feature. "I'm just like the bar band, which is kinda fun." Expressing her anticipation, Taylor adds, "I'm just really excited about it because it's really cool when some of my little fans will come up with a Hannah Montana shirt on, and I want to be like, 'Guess what? I get to be in that movie with her!' "
Taylor, appearing on Monday's Today show, also spoke highly of her pal. "Miley Cyrus is awesome. I love her so much. She is so incredibly funny and sweet!" Taylor gushed. "It's fun to get to see her, because we both have been on the road constantly, and with us both in Nashville now, it will be cool to get to hang out with her."
Country group Rascal Flatts will also appear in the movie, which is set to hit theatres in 2009 and deals with Montana's taking a trip with her father to her Tennessee hometown, where she gains a perspective on her double life.
Source: www.people.com
 |
