Zac Sunderland Solo Yachtsman

Celebrity News - Zac Sunderland Solo Yachtsman

Zac Sunderland , NB spelling, it is not Zak Sunderland, from California, USA has just become the youngest person ever to sail around the world on his own. He took 13 months to circumnavigate the globe, from Marina Del Rey California via Hawaii Australia South Africa, Mexico etc... and back to Marina Del Rey.

He was not even 18 when he got back to California. An extraordinary feat for anyone but particularly for someone so young. A lot more interesting than people being vulgar and swearing at each other on Big Brother or any of the other so-called 'reality' tv shows. This trip round the world on his own in a boat really was true reality !

At one point he was pursued by pirates and had to evade them by locking himself up in his bullet-proff glass cabin.

He also had to deal with a broken boom, broken tiller, broken bulkhead, broken rigging and was almost awshed over board.

Zac's father said : "He left thinking that he knew a lot about life, and the difference now is, he does. You look into his eyes; he's very much a deep thinker now. He tries to anticipate things more so now, before they happen."

The parents have in fact come in for some criticism for letting a 17 year old gop on such a dangerous trip "This is our whole life -- boating, and Laurence has felt a huge amount of responsibility," Marianne Sunderland, Zac's mother, said "Zac has had all the best safety equipment -- from satellite phones to his own meteorologists, and everyone to help him. With modern technology there's no reason why he shouldn't be successful."

Zac said the worst thing was being alone "there's no normalcy. Every day is different. Never being anywhere at a certain time is hard to get used to."

He bought his sailboat a 36-foot Islander named the Intrepid with $6000 he had saved up himself. He retrofitted the boat with the help of his father who is a shipwright.

The route he followed was - Marina Del Rey, California - Wakiki, Hawaii - Majuro, Marshall Islands - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - Darwin, Australia - Cocos-Keeling Islands, Territory of Australia - Rodrigues Island, Mauritius - Port Louis, Mauritius - Durban, South Africa - East London, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Mossel Bay, South Africa - Cape Town, South Africa - St. Helena, South Atlantic Ocean - Grenada - Colón, Panama - Panama City, Panama - Marina Chahue, Huatulco, Mexico - Puerto de la Navidad Marina, - Barra de Navidad, Mexico - Marina Del Rey, California

Michael Jackson Has Haert Attack

Celebrity News - Michael Jackson Has Heart Attack - May Have Died

According to some reports Michael Jackson has died of a heart attack after being rushed to hospital in Los Angeles, California.

Jackson reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest according to CNN and entertainment website TMZ.com.

TMZ is now saying that Michael Jackson has died.

Paramedics found Jackson at his home where he was not breathing and according to some reports he was already dead and completely unresponsive.

One of the staff members at Jackson's home dialed 911.

Paramedics performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) at his home before rushing him to the UCLA Medical Centre hospital.

It is reported that La Toya was sobbing in the hospital after Jackson was pronounced dead.

David Carradine Found Dead in Bangkok

Celebrity News - David Carradine of Kung Fu Fame Found Dead in Bangkok Hotel

The BBC are reporting that David Carradine star of the 70s TV series Kung Fu and who was in large part responsible for making Kung Fu and martial arts known to a Western audience, has been found dead in strange circumstances in a 5 star Bangkok hotel

He was apparently found dead in a wardrobe with a rope around his neck. He was in Bangkok filing his latest film Stretch, according to Chuck Binder his manager.

Mr Binder described the news as "shocking", saying: "He was full of life, always wanting to work... a great person."

His death will shock a lot of people around the world. Mr Carradine had a very large fan base who remember the Kung Fu series with great affection.

Susan Boyle Meltdown?

Celebrity News - Susan Boyle TV Meltdown?

Susan Boyle is apparently suffering from the strain of fame and according to some has packed her bags and is ready to quit Britain’s Got Talent. Hardly surprising really given that she was unknown only a few weeks ago and has been catapulted into stardom more or less overnight !
She had found recent criticism hard to take, Piers Morgan said “I’ve been told she’s been in floods of tears.

“Yesterday she was actually going to leave the show, packed her bags to go because she couldn’t see the point in going on if all she was going to get was all this sniping.”

He added: “I think there’s a lot of cynicism building up about Susan, a lot of unnecessary criticism about her. She’s just two days away from the biggest show of her life, the biggest moment of her life, and we should give her a break.”

TV chiefs are apparently also considered pulling Susan from tomorrow night’s live final due to fears that the pressure may be actually be harming her.

She is said to have gone into hiding yesterday after incidents which gave concern for her health. Susan, was born with minor brain damage and suffered from learning difficulties, and it has been said she is staying with friends in order to take things easy.

ITV officials say they will obtain medical advice to make sure she is able to cope with the live final.

There have apparently been bitter clashes between TV executives and producers.

The series is a ratings blockbuster thanks to Susan Boyle and gets over 15 million viewers.

An ITV source said: “If it is felt that she is too vulnerable to perform, she will be withdrawn from the show.”

Susan also apparently has made four-letter public outbursts this week and V-signs at Piers Morgan.

“Simon Cowell and Co aren’t happy but there is a much bigger picture here. If anything was to happen to Susan live on air it would be ITV that got the blame. Her well-being is the absolute priority.”

ITV has “a duty of care” to anyone appearing on the channel and Section 2.3 of Ofcom’s broadcasting code states that broadcast material including “humiliation, distress and violation of human dignity” must be justified in context.

If Susan Boyle or a member of the public were to complain after the final ITV could be prosecuted.

Her brother John said: "Susan is finding it very difficult at the moment. She has become a global sensation and is finding that she doesn't have any of the protection and support that big stars normally do. She is just a normal woman from a small village in Scotland, who all of a sudden is being forced to cope with this on her own."

One reality show expert said Susan Boyle was "clearly not prepared" for celebrity and could crack under the pressure. According to another show's effects might be "very damaging" for someone in her position.

Dr Linda Papadopoulos admitted people are concerned the experience may be damaging the singer. She said: "Somebody who is unprepared for this type of celebrity will find it hugely difficult to deal with. Part of being a celebrity is trying to control your emotions rather than your emotions controlling you and I don't know how capable she will be of doing that."

Miss Boyle has been coming in for some criticism lately for exmaple from Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood who said that Miss Boyle "sucks" and criticised her singing.

Publicist Max Clifford said "She's not dealing at all well with this situation. The dream that everyone first bought into, that she was a sweet lady devoted to her mother, is quickly fading."

Bookmakers still have Susan Boyle as favourite but her odds have lengthened.

A record 15.4 million people tuned in to watch Monday’s show.

So all in all a very strange state of affairs, there are some cynical journalists who claim it is all part of the publicity hype, as Susan Boyle is a such a hot favourite to win the show.

Michael Savage Lunatic Defamation Claim

Bath Plug Claimant Jacqui Smith Tells Michael Savage He Ain't Good Enough for Britain - We Do Have Some Standards After All!

American radio shock jock Michael Savage has been banned from the UK by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith - yes the same Jacqui Smith who claimed 85p for a bath plug (or was that a typo when she filled in the form?) in her expenses and whose husband claimed £20 for porn movies from the taxpayers and who also claims that her cupboard in her sister's house in London is her main home so she can claim £24,000 for her 'second home' in Birmingham - we have such high standards in Britain - . According to Jacqui Smith, Savage is a "promoter of hate" - clearly there's no way you can claim for 'hate' on your expenses so he is beyond the pale.

Michael Savage, has described Smith as a "lunatic" and has threatened to sue her for defamation. Her action has also of course increased Michael Savage's international audience considerably, as you can hear him on the Internet anyway.

(A bath plug - as claimed by our illustrious Home Secretary for her bath - price 85p)

Smith accused those named in her list of "stirring up hatred" and "fostering extremism or hatred."

Mr Savage says : "For this lunatic Jacqui Smith ... to link me up with skinheads who are killing people in Russia, to put me in league with mass murderers who kill Jews on buses, is defamation. As a result of this, I am going to sue her."

Savage, urged his 10 million listeners in the US to support him by cancelling trips to Britain and by boycotting British-made goods - tip to our US brothers and sisters, bath plugs are considered a luxury item in Britain and Government Ministers are very fond of them.

"I don't know what they make there any more, but whatever they make, I suggest you don't buy it. If they want to play hardball, we'll play hardball."

Savage was fired by MSNBC news channel in 2003 after categorizing a caller on his show as a "sodomite" and said: "You should only get AIDS and die, you pig!."

Smith says Savage is a man of extreme views who expressed them "in such a way that it is actually likely to cause inter-community tension or even violence."

"Coming to this country is a privilege. If you can't live by the rules that we live by, the standards and the values that we live by, we should exclude you from this country." (ha ha - nice one Jacqui - all nonsense of course).

(Jacqui Smith - are those bath plugs she is wearing?)

Most journalists in the UK are deeply shocked by Smith's decision, although as far as I know none of them has actually called her a lunatic, they after all still recovering from her decision to claim 85p for her bath plug (she makes around $300,000 a year as Home Secretary - paid for by the British taxpayers, but hey an extra 85p can always come in handy!).

What's that doing here?!

Susan Boyle - Hollywood Movie

Susan Boyle is doing well ! Singing and making millions - a genuine success story - her DVD of I Dreamed a Dream is one of the best-selling items on Amazon this Christmas !




After an appearance on a talent show - Britain's Got Talent - life has not been the same for Susan Boyle . She has appeared on Larry King Live, she has been interviewd on numerous US talk shows, the council has put up a new fence around her house ! CDs with a track of her signing Cry ME A River have been sold on Ebay for over £1000.

Now it appears there is to be a Hollywood movie of her life ! Talk about a weird and nutty world !

According to the Mirror, a showbiz insider said: "Everyone wants a piece of Susan Boyle. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hollywood makes a film all about her overnight success. It would be a real rags to riches story."

Boyle has apparently already received an offer from US film-maker Darla Rae, who runs Film-It Productions in Colorado.

"Susan’s real-life story is just what my movie Section B is about - chasing your dream no matter what,"

"When Susan stepped on to the stage and began to sing, tears welled up in my eyes.

"As I watched her, I felt a connection and realized she would be perfect for one of my films," she said.

But Simon Cowell is keen to keep any multi-million pound movie deal in the hands of his own production company Syco.

Susan Boyle Gets New Fence!

Celebrity News - Susan Boyle Ebay CD Sales and a New Gate

As predicted, Susan Boyle is now an Ebay sensation too. There are at the moment 7 copies of the charity CD on which she features, being offered for sale, with current prices ranging from around £100 to over £1000 ($1400). Only 1000 copies of the CD were produced. although given her fame it would seem sensible for the production company - Whitburn Community Council - to produce some more !

The 47-year-old singing phenomenon from Blackburn, Scotland has in the meantime become a bigger internet star than Barack Obama himself, as her BGT performance has now attracted 85 million hits, Barack Obama's election victory speech only got 18.5 million.

One of the CDs on auction is apparently a personal gift from Susan Boyle, and includes a Christmas card signed by her!

Eddie Anderson the previous editor of the West Lothian Herald and Post, has donated his copy of the CD to Livingston FC to raise funds.

Miss Boyle in the meantime has announced that she has had a meeting with music label Sony BMG, presumably with Syco which is run by Simon Cowell.

Livingston FC has said they would be happy to organize a live concert at Almondvale Stadium.

According to those who know, Susan Boyle could make £3 million over the next 12 months - a bit of a change for someone who was unemployed two weeks ago. .

Speaking of her childhood she has said: "Words often hurt more than cuts and bruises and the scars are still there. The ones who were mean to me then are now nice to me.

"I still see the kids I went to school with because we all live in the same area.

"They accept me now. And look at me – I've had the last laugh."

In a sudden rush of activity the council gave her priority in their "fence replacement programme", and installed a new gate at her home. Surely proof that the power of celebrity knows no bounds !

Competition for Susan Boyle

Celebrity News - Susan Boyle or Shaheen Jafargholi?

One week after Susan Boyle became a global superstar after her audition on "Britain's Got Talent," a twelve-year-old Welsh boy has been praised for his "life-changing" performance on the talent show.

Shaheen Jafargholi got a standing ovation from Simon Cowell but his audition had not started well when Cowell halted the audition after just one verse of the Zutons' song "Valerie."

Cowell told Jafargholi "You've got this really wrong. What do you sing apart from that?"

Jafargholi said he could sing "Who's Loving You," by Smokey Robinson and sang it so perfectly that Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden rose to their feet to applaud him.

Cowell said to him "This is how one song can change your life. This may be the start of something special for you young man."

Piers Morgan has said Jafargholi could be a challenger to Susan Boyle for the show's $146,000 first prize.

"Once Simon got him to sing the right kind of song for his voice, he was sensational. Like a young Stevie Wonder," Morgan said.

Jafargholi said he had been singing since the age fo two. "When I was a bit older my mum got me some singing lessons and my voice just got bigger and bigger. Hopefully this is going to be my big break."

Susan Boyle's Larry King Apperance

Celebrity News - Susan Boyle Sings on Larry King Live

After her outstanding performance on Britain's Got Talent Susan Boyle has been much in demand. She has already appeared on talk shows in the US and is rumoured to be appearing on Oprah Winfrey's show some time soon. But in the meantime she has definitely been on Larry King Live as you can see for yourselves if you have a look here - Larry King - where she gave an extraordinary impromptu rendition of Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On' - prompting Piers Morgan to declare she had the voice of an angel.

Susan Boyle who is 47 years old and an unemployed charity worker stunned the skeptical audience on BGT with her amazing performance of "I Dreamed a Dream". Since then she has been catapulted into stardom and now has a legion of awestruck fans !

Piers Morganand Simon Cowell are talking of major recording contracts and world tours. Susan, however, says she is just concentrating on preparing for the live semi-finals for the show in May. She is odds-on favourite to win but there are other very talented people still in the show, so there is nothing certain.

Susan also says she has does not have any plans for a makeover and says all the media attention hasn't changed her. Although she has said that she "certainly won't be lonely anymore."

Oprah Invites Susan Boyle

Celebrity News - Susan Boyle on Oprah

Susan Boyle Cry Me a River Clip

After singing in front of Simon Cowell and the panel on Britain's Got Talent, overnight Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle has been invited to sing on Oprah Winfrey's show. It seems her life is destined to change a bit !

A spokesman for Oprah said to AFP that Susan Boyle had caught Oprah's attention and had been invited to be a guest, although no dates were given.

A Youtube video of Susan Boyle's extraordinary performance on 'Britain's Got Talent' last weekend has so far been watched more than 21 million times.

Demi Moore said she was moved to tears by the performance, and the story has had an impact worldwide, with interviews being requested by US and Australian channels amongst others.

Susan Boyle has a remarkable talent which was recognized by the audience and the panel on Britain's Got Talent as she sang a very difficult song 'I Dreamed A Dream' from the musical 'Les Miserables' based on the Victor Hugo novel.

Susan Boyle was born in 1961 and is a Scottish church volunteer and amateur singer. Her performance was so amazing that she has been called "The Woman Who Shut Up Simon Cowell", which is not quite true but it makes a good quote.

The original show and audition was recorded in Scotland in January 2009.

Simon Cowell is said to be setting up a contract with Ms Boyle with his Syco Music company label, a subsidiary of Sony Music.

Unfortunately I can't embed the Youtube video - you need to go here Susan Boyle -

She also recorded a version of Cry Me a River which is even better than the song she sang on the TV show

Robyn Gibson Files for Divorce

Celebrity News - Mel Gibson's wife Files for Divorce

According to Associated Press, after 28 years of marriage Mel Gibson's wife Robyn has filed for divorce.

Court records show that Robyn Gibson has filed the petition in Los Angeles, giving as reason "irreconcilable differences".

The petition doesn't give any further details. Robyn Gibson is seeking jewelry and some other property, and joint custody for their son, aged 9.

The couple were married in June 1980.

Obamas Portuguese Water Dog Puppy

Celebrity News - Obamas Choose Portuguese Water Dog as Family Pet

Bo - Video of the Obamas' Hypoallergenic Portuguese Water Dog

The hypoallergenic first puppy has finally been chosen or so says the Washington Post. It is a 6-month old Portuguese Water Dog (or PWD) which was given to the Obama family as a gift by Edward M. Kennedy- the senator for Massachusetts,

Malia and Sasha Obama have decided to call it Bo, because their cousins have a cat called Bo and because Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley - will it become known a Bobama?

Bo has black fur with a white chest, white paws and a white goatee beard.

The dog will be officially sworn in on Tuesday but the news has of course already leaked.

Bo is already extremely well-trained he sits when the girls sit, stands when they stand and has no unfortunate carpet episodes. He has apparently been getting private tuition from the Kennedys' dog trainers at a secret location outside Washington.

Sasha was excited whereas Malia was mor einterested in "responsibility issues" like training Bo etc...

"Malia has done extensive research," a White House source said.

There will no doubt be a whole new industry created in Portuguese Water Dogs as a result the Obamas' decision but a White House spokesman said that Portuguese Water Dogs "are not for everyone. They're very energetic. They play, play, play. Then they sleep."

They also need a lot of room to exercise.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

No decision has yet been made about where Bo will sleep. Feeding and walking times also still need to be decided.

A dog is a new experience for erveryone concerned - Sasha and Malia have never had a pet before and neither the first lady nor the president had dogs when they were children.

The Portuguese Water Dog was always high on the list to become the Obama family dog as Malia Obama has allergies.

It was Edward Kennedy who lobbied for a PWD as he has three: Sunny, Splash and Cappy.



The Kennedys said: "We couldn't be happier to see the joy that Bo is bringing to Malia and Sasha. We love our Portuguese Water Dogs and know that the girls -- and their parents -- will love theirs too."

The Obamas did however say they wanted a rescue dog but PWDs almost never end up in shelters. Bo had previously been living with another family, but it wasn't a good fit, so the Kennedys acquired him for the Obamas.

Given the pledge they made about rescue dogs the Obamas have decided to make a donation to the D.C. Humane Society.

Deborah Turbiville Houston Arrest

Celebrity News - Deborah Turbiville Houston's Madam Police Investigation

Full story : KHOU
Deborah L. Turbiville often referred to herself as ‘the Heidi Fleiss of Houston,’ the legendary Hollywood madam.

Turbiville may now have even more in common as she faces jail time for running one of Houston's biggest prostitution rings.

She and her husband, Charles Fletcher Turbiville, were taken in by police yesterday then released them on $10,000 bail. They The duo are due back in court on April 15th.

Allegedly the couple has 1500 clients in the Houston area including doctors, professional athletes and lawyers. The more expensive of the call girls charged $350 an hour — and some appear to have been recruited by Turbiville on Craigslist.com.

Turbiville's little black book apparently contains names of high-profile figures around Houston which may cause a citywide scandal.

The couple are also suspected of laundering money into precious metals.

Houston investigators are trying to find Turbiville’s ladies and their clients. So no doubt we can expect more revelations !

Undercover investigators say the women met clients at smart hotels in the Galleria area or sometimes in a 3-bedroom apartment in the Memorial area.

Police computer forensic experts are analyzing hard drives right now to see who else is on the client list and they have apparently already found several names of people who paid using credit cards and they expect to be finished by the end of this week.

Brook Mueller Twins

Celebrity Gossip - Brook Mueller Twins

Brook Mueller wife of Charlie Sheen gave birth to twin boys on Saturday night. They have named the boys Max and Bob.

These are the first children for the couple, who married in May 2008. Charlie Sheen already has thre daughters from his previous marriage. Charlie Sheen and Brook Mueller are surely the bet looking couple in Hollywood ! We wish them and their kids lots of happiness.

Hudson River Airbus Captain Sullenberger

INSTANT CELEBRITY - FAMOUS FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES

The latest candidate for instant celebrity is the pilot of the Airbus 320 Flight 1549 that crash landed into the Hudson River close to La Guardia airport - Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III. He did a fantastic job bringing the plane down and getting everybody off the plane alive.

He was also the last person to leave the place as it floated on the icy Hudson river, after checking the place twice to make sure that no-one was left behind.

The epitome of competence and integrity which has been sadly sacking around the world recently. Why isn't everyone like Captain Sullenberger ?

The Airbus 320 looking strangely like a whale in distress in the Hudson River.