xMOu.com - Global music, musik, musique, musica http://xmou.com International Music Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:30:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 en Model Katie Price has given a dressage demonstration at the Horse of the Year Show, proving so popular that she has been drafted into Sundays finale http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/model-katie-price-has-given-a-dressage-demonstration-at-the-horse-of-the-year-show-proving-so-popular-that-she-has-been-drafted-into-sundays-finale.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/model-katie-price-has-given-a-dressage-demonstration-at-the-horse-of-the-year-show-proving-so-popular-that-she-has-been-drafted-into-sundays-finale.html#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:30:09 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/Model-Katie-Price-has-given-a-dressage-demonstration-at-the-Horse-of-the-Year-Show,-proving-so-popular-that-she-has-been-drafted-into-Sundays-finale/ Model Katie Price has given a dressage demonstration at the Horse of the Year Show, proving so popular that she has been drafted into Sundays finale.

Price, also known as Jordan, entered the ring to the sound of her husband Peter Andres hit song Mysterious Girl.

"I had such a lovely time," she said after the show at Birminghams NEC.

In July, Price was turned away from the Cartier International polo event in Windsor, Berkshire. She claimed she was told she was not the type they wanted.

She later argued that she knew more about horses than most of the celebrity guests at the society event.

Price appeared at the Horse of the Year show on her horse, Jordans Glamour Girl.

"I am delighted to be able to invite Katie back for the finale," said show director Mark Wein.

Price found fame as a glamour model.

She has since published bestselling books, launched merchandise including lingerie, cosmetics and equestrian wear, and appears in the reality TV series Katie and Peter: The Next Chapter.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/model-katie-price-has-given-a-dressage-demonstration-at-the-horse-of-the-year-show-proving-so-popular-that-she-has-been-drafted-into-sundays-finale.html/feed A woman accused of stalking Hollywood actor John Cusack has accepted a plea bargain that will allow her to avoid US state prison http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/a-woman-accused-of-stalking-hollywood-actor-john-cusack-has-accepted-a-plea-bargain-that-will-allow-her-to-avoid-us-state-prison.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/a-woman-accused-of-stalking-hollywood-actor-john-cusack-has-accepted-a-plea-bargain-that-will-allow-her-to-avoid-us-state-prison.html#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:30:08 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/A-woman-accused-of-stalking-Hollywood-actor-John-Cusack-has-accepted-a-plea-bargain-that-will-allow-her-to-avoid-US-state-prison/ A woman accused of stalking Hollywood actor John Cusack has accepted a plea bargain that will allow her to avoid US state prison.

Emily Leatherman pleaded no contest to the stalking charge and was sentenced to time already served - six months - and five years probation.

Ms Leatherman must now stay away from the 42-year-old actor, his home and business for the next 10 years.

The judge also ordered the 33-year-old to undergo psychiatric counselling.

Ms Leatherman was arrested earlier this year near Mr Cusacks Malibu home and has been in custody ever since.

By pleading no contest at the start of her trial, she avoided going to prison had she been found guilty on two charges of disobeying a restraining order and petty theft for not paying a cab fare.

Help

In a rambling statement, Ms Leatherman claimed she was the victim of sex crimes and thought Mr Cusack could help her.

Mr Cusack was not present in court, but a prosecutor read a statement from him that stated he had never met her but hoped she received proper psychiatric help.

Judge Susan Speer had, a day earlier, dismissed the plea bargain proposal after Ms Leatherman indicated she had been coerced into the deal by her legal team.

However, before she was led away by bailiffs, she shouted: "I want to take it."

In August, Judge Speer ruled Ms Leatherman was mentally competent to stand trial, but not to act as her own lawyer.

Mr Cusack was granted a restraining order against Ms Leatherman in 2006.

The star is best known for films including Serendipity, High Fidelity and Con Air.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/a-woman-accused-of-stalking-hollywood-actor-john-cusack-has-accepted-a-plea-bargain-that-will-allow-her-to-avoid-us-state-prison.html/feed scar-winning actor Tim Robbins has been awarded with a star on Hollywoods Walk of Fame http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/scar-winning-actor-tim-robbins-has-been-awarded-with-a-star-on-hollywoods-walk-of-fame.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/scar-winning-actor-tim-robbins-has-been-awarded-with-a-star-on-hollywoods-walk-of-fame.html#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:30:04 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/scar-winning-actor-Tim-Robbins-has-been-awarded-with-a-star-on-Hollywoods-Walk-of-Fame/ Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins has been awarded with a star on Hollywoods Walk of Fame.
The 49-year-old said he was "really honoured" to received the accolade at a ceremony attended by his long-time partner, actress Susan Sarandon.
The actor is the 2,371st celebrity to be immortalized on the star-studded stretch of Hollywood Boulevard.
Robbins won a best supporting actor Oscar for his role in crime drama Mystic River in 2004.
Teenage memories
Speaking of when he first arrived in Hollywood as a teenager, Robbins said: "I used to take the bus from here to Burbank to go to work.
"When the bus was late, I would walk up and down and throw my cigarettes down. Now I have the honour of having this done to my star."
The actors star lies next to that of Sarandons on the Walk of Fame.
Robbins appeared in critically acclaimed films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Jacobs Ladder and The Player.
He was nominated for a best-director Oscar in 1996 for Dead Man Walking, a movie he co-wrote about the death penalty and starred Sarandon.
The actress went on to win the Oscar for best actress for her role in the film.
Robbins is currently starring in the film City of Ember, alongside Bill Murray and Atonement star Saoirse Ronan.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/11/scar-winning-actor-tim-robbins-has-been-awarded-with-a-star-on-hollywoods-walk-of-fame.html/feed riters, critics, historians and actors are descending on the Cheltenham Literature Festival, which has been opened by Prime Minister Gordon Brown http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/riters-critics-historians-and-actors-are-descending-on-the-cheltenham-literature-festival-which-has-been-opened-by-prime-minister-gordon-brown.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/riters-critics-historians-and-actors-are-descending-on-the-cheltenham-literature-festival-which-has-been-opened-by-prime-minister-gordon-brown.html#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:30:06 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/riters,-critics,-historians-and-actors-are-descending-on-the-Cheltenham-Literature-Festival,-which-has-been-opened-by-Prime-Minister-Gordon-Brown/ Writers, critics, historians and actors are descending on the Cheltenham Literature Festival, which has been opened by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Broadcaster Kate Adie and author Ian Rankin are guest directors of the 10-day event, now in its 59th year.
The theme of the festival is the family, and how it shapes who people are and how they live, read and write.
Speakers include actress Julie Walters, author Jilly Cooper, and Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies.
The festival will feature more than 450 writers and in excess of 350 events.
Final taboo
Mr Brown took a break from dealing with the global financial crisis to open the festival.
He balanced a discussion on the economy with promotion for his forthcoming book on wartime courage, during a talk at Cheltenham Town Hall.

John Barrowman will talk about his life in showbiz

Adie will tackle political correctness on the opening weekend of the event, with strong views on food expected from Two Fat Ladies star Clarissa Dickson Wright.
There will also be a look into a politically correct future, and the restrictions of politically correct language facing the BBCs long-running programme From Our Own Correspondent.
Rankin, who takes to the helm for the second weekend, has promised "art, crime, dissent and even perhaps a helping of controversy", with a focus on censorship, sex and taboo.
Cooper takes a candid look at sex on the page, Will Self confronts the final taboos in writing, and Scottish artist Jack Vettriano contemplates his work and influence on popular culture.
In a series of events looking at the challenges that face a modern family, TV presenter Richard Madeley joins sociologist Frank Furedi to assess the changing role of the father.
Booker Prize-shortlisted author Linda Grant will explore the complex portrayal of families in literature, along with fellow writers Sadie Jones, Isabel Fonseca and Fay Weldon.
Actors Julie Walters, Sheila Hancock and John Barrowman also discuss their lives.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/riters-critics-historians-and-actors-are-descending-on-the-cheltenham-literature-festival-which-has-been-opened-by-prime-minister-gordon-brown.html/feed inger Janet Jackson is to resume her North American tour after postponing a string of shows because of illness, according to reports in the US http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/inger-janet-jackson-is-to-resume-her-north-american-tour-after-postponing-a-string-of-shows-because-of-illness-according-to-reports-in-the-us.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/inger-janet-jackson-is-to-resume-her-north-american-tour-after-postponing-a-string-of-shows-because-of-illness-according-to-reports-in-the-us.html#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:30:05 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/inger-Janet-Jackson-is-to-resume-her-North-American-tour-after-postponing-a-string-of-shows-because-of-illness,-according-to-reports-in-the-US/ Singer Janet Jackson is to resume her North American tour after postponing a string of shows because of illness, according to reports in the US.
Promoters Live Nation told US TV show Access Hollywood the star was "excited about getting back on the road" after spending a week recuperating.
The 42-year-old will return to the stage on Saturday in Connecticut.
The Together Again singer fell ill during a sound check in Canada last month and was taken to hospital.
Additional shows
Live Nation said in a statement: "Janet, who has been under her doctors care and recuperating over the last week, is excited about getting back on the road and again being able to share with her fans what she feels is one of her best stage shows ever."
After falling ill the singer postponed shows in Montreal, Boston, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Philadelphia, Greensboro, North Carolina.
When three additional shows were cancelled last week, Jacksons spokesperson said she was under a doctors care and had been advised to rest until she fully recovered.
Several of those concerts have now been rescheduled, while a forthcoming date at New Yorks Madison Square Garden has been postponed until 1 November.
The stars two-and-a-half hour show features 37 songs from three decades - including hits like Rhythm Nation, Thats The Way Love Goes and Nasty.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/inger-janet-jackson-is-to-resume-her-north-american-tour-after-postponing-a-string-of-shows-because-of-illness-according-to-reports-in-the-us.html/feed woman accused of stalking Hollywood actor John Cusack is to face trial after a last-minute plea bargain was rejected at the court in Los Angeles http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/woman-accused-of-stalking-hollywood-actor-john-cusack-is-to-face-trial-after-a-last-minute-plea-bargain-was-rejected-at-the-court-in-los-angeles.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/woman-accused-of-stalking-hollywood-actor-john-cusack-is-to-face-trial-after-a-last-minute-plea-bargain-was-rejected-at-the-court-in-los-angeles.html#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:21 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/woman-accused-of-stalking-Hollywood-actor-John-Cusack-is-to-face-trial-after-a-last-minute-plea-bargain-was-rejected-at-the-court-in-Los-Angeles/ A woman accused of stalking Hollywood actor John Cusack is to face trial after a last-minute plea bargain was rejected at the court in Los Angeles.
The deal called for Emily Leatherman to receive five years probation and to stay away from Mr Cusack for 10 years.
Judge Susan Speer dismissed the proposal when Ms Leatherman indicated she had been coerced into the deal by her legal team.
The 33-year-old was arrested earlier this year outside the actors home.
She has been in custody ever since, and if convicted she faces a further four years in jail.
Shouting
Ms Leatherman accused her lawyer, Brent Merritt, of using scare tactics to get her to agree to the deal.
Mr Merritt, who was appointed against her wishes, denied the allegation in court.
However, before she was led away by bailiffs, Ms Leatherman shouted: "I want to take it."
In August, Judge Speer ruled Ms Leatherman was mentally competent to stand trial, but not to act as her own lawyer.
Cusack was granted a restraining order against Ms Leatherman in 2006.
The star, who is best known for films as Being John Malkovich and High Fidelity, is expected to testify during the trial.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/woman-accused-of-stalking-hollywood-actor-john-cusack-is-to-face-trial-after-a-last-minute-plea-bargain-was-rejected-at-the-court-in-los-angeles.html/feed Factor winner Leona Lewis pulled out of opening the Harrods winter sale last year because of her vegetarian beliefs, it has emerged http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/factor-winner-leona-lewis-pulled-out-of-opening-the-harrods-winter-sale-last-year-because-of-her-vegetarian-beliefs-it-has-emerged.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/factor-winner-leona-lewis-pulled-out-of-opening-the-harrods-winter-sale-last-year-because-of-her-vegetarian-beliefs-it-has-emerged.html#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:20 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/Factor-winner-Leona-Lewis-pulled-out-of-opening-the-Harrods-winter-sale-last-year-because-of-her-vegetarian-beliefs,-it-has-emerged/ X Factor winner Leona Lewis pulled out of opening the Harrods winter sale last year because of her vegetarian beliefs, it has emerged.
The 23-year-old, who is firmly against animal cruelty, cancelled her public appearance at the department store in London because it stocked animal fur.
Harrods said it was told she cancelled "due to a scheduling clash".
Lewis, who scored a huge hit with Bleeding Love, was recently voted the UKs sexiest vegetarian.
"Im totally against animal cruelty," she said at the time. "I don have clothes, shoes or bags made from any animal products."
Various reports have suggested Lewis had been offered £1 million to attend the event.
A Harrods spokesman refused to reveal how much she was offered as this was "confidential", but he added: "It was at least a tenth of what has been reported."

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/factor-winner-leona-lewis-pulled-out-of-opening-the-harrods-winter-sale-last-year-because-of-her-vegetarian-beliefs-it-has-emerged.html/feed orest Whitaker is to star in, and direct, Louis Armstrong biopic What a Wonderful World, according to reports http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/orest-whitaker-is-to-star-in-and-direct-louis-armstrong-biopic-what-a-wonderful-world-according-to-reports.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/orest-whitaker-is-to-star-in-and-direct-louis-armstrong-biopic-what-a-wonderful-world-according-to-reports.html#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:19 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/orest-Whitaker-is-to-star-in,-and-direct,-Louis-Armstrong-biopic-What-a-Wonderful-World,-according-to-reports/ Forest Whitaker is to star in, and direct, Louis Armstrong biopic What a Wonderful World, according to reports.
The film was being made by Paris-based company Legende, which produced last years Edith Piaf film La Vie en Rose, trade publication Variety said.
Oscar Cohen, who began working as road manager for trumpeter and singer Armstrong in the late 1940s, will be executive producer, it added.
Whitaker has previously played jazz great Charlie Parker in the film Bird.
The 1988 movie was directed by Clint Eastwood.

He lived an amazing life and, through his art, shifted the way music was played and would be heard after him

Forest Whitaker on Louis Armstrong

Ron Bass, whose previous credits include Entrapment and My Best Friends Wedding, will write the script.
It will begin with Armstrongs impoverished youth in New Orleans, according to Variety.
"Armstrong left a monumental mark on our lives and our culture," Whitaker told the paper.
"He lived an amazing life and, through his art, shifted the way music was played and would be heard after him, not just here in the US but all over the world."
Whitaker has previously directed films including romantic comedies First Daughter, starring Katie Holmes and Michael Keaton, and Waiting to Exhale, featuring Whitney Houston.
In 2007, he won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/orest-whitaker-is-to-star-in-and-direct-louis-armstrong-biopic-what-a-wonderful-world-according-to-reports.html/feed ilm and TV actor Simon Pegg has signed a publishing deal worth seven figures to write three non-fiction books http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/ilm-and-tv-actor-simon-pegg-has-signed-a-publishing-deal-worth-seven-figures-to-write-three-non-fiction-books.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/ilm-and-tv-actor-simon-pegg-has-signed-a-publishing-deal-worth-seven-figures-to-write-three-non-fiction-books.html#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:18 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/ilm-and-TV-actor-Simon-Pegg-has-signed-a-publishing-deal-worth-seven-figures-to-write-three-non-fiction-books/ Film and TV actor Simon Pegg has signed a publishing deal worth seven figures to write three non-fiction books.
The Hot Fuzz stars first title will be a memoir about his career and is due to come out next year.
The second book is expected to be humorous, while the third is a "highly illustrated, lavishly-produced title", according to Hodder and Stoughton.
Pegg, who is to play Scotty in next years Star Trek film, stars in How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.
The Hollywood comedy topped the UK and Ireland box office this week.
Peggs memoirs, which have yet to be titled, will cover his career from his first stand-up performance to working with collaborators Jessica Stevenson and Nick Frost on projects including Spaced and Shaun of The Dead.
His subsequent books are due to be published in 2010 and 2011.
The publisher plans to sell the rights to the books in the US, where he is gaining recognition thanks to his work in Hollywood.

]]> http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/ilm-and-tv-actor-simon-pegg-has-signed-a-publishing-deal-worth-seven-figures-to-write-three-non-fiction-books.html/feed uthor Sir Salman Rushdie has been honoured by an Irish university with an award in memory of his greatest inspiration - writer James Joyce http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/uthor-sir-salman-rushdie-has-been-honoured-by-an-irish-university-with-an-award-in-memory-of-his-greatest-inspiration-writer-james-joyce.html http://xmou.com/2008/10/10/uthor-sir-salman-rushdie-has-been-honoured-by-an-irish-university-with-an-award-in-memory-of-his-greatest-inspiration-writer-james-joyce.html#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:17 +0000 admin http://xmou.com/uthor-Sir-Salman-Rushdie-has-been-honoured-by-an-Irish-university-with-an-award-in-memory-of-his-greatest-inspiration---writer-James-Joyce/ Author Sir Salman Rushdie has been honoured by an Irish university with an award in memory of his greatest inspiration - writer James Joyce.
Accepting the James Joyce Award at University College Dublin, Sir Salman said he said he had learnt "a daring of language" from Joyce.
Previous winners include author Bill Bryson, comedy actor Will Ferrell and ex-footballer Gary Lineker.
Sir Salmans Midnights Children won the Best of the Booker prize in July.
After a public vote, his 1981 book beat five other former Booker winners, shortlisted from the prizes 40-year history.
Satanic Verses
The Irish-born author told students: "My little contribution has been to create an Indian English to go alongside the Irish English, Caribbean English and Australian English."

To get an award with his name on it is a really moving thing. Im very happy to have it

Sir Salman Rushdie on James Joyce

He added: "James Joyce was probably more of an inspiration to me than any other writer ever has been.
"To get an award with his name on it is a really moving thing. Im very happy to have it."
He also read a passage from latest novel The Enchantress of Florence.
Sir Salman went into hiding in 1989 after the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses.
The book sparked widespread protests by Muslims and Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him.
Khomeini called the book a blasphemy against Islam and sentenced Sir Salman to death.
The author returned to public life in 1998.

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