LADY GAGA TOPS FORBES' CELEBRITY 100 LIST

Lady Gaga in Toronto - March 2011

Forbes Magazine's 2011 Celebrity 100 list has been announced, ranking those Celebrities on their influence and earnings over the past twelve months.

Topping the list this year is Lady Gaga with $90 million in earnings last year, while coming on top of their measures of Social and Web Rank. Oprah Winfrey who topped the list last year, slips to second this year, ahead of Canada's v. own Justin Bieber.  Also in the Top Ten are Taylor Swift, Elton John, U2, Simon Cowell and Bon Jovi.

To view the complete list, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

LEA MICHELE DENIES "TRUE GRIT" STAR HAILEE STEINFELD AN AUTOGRAPH

Hailee Steinfeld

This just breaks my heart.  I appreciate the fact that while an Entertainer is busy at work, it might not be a "good time", but honestly when there's no one else around and you have Security with you above that, an Autograph or a Photo with a Fan takes only seconds. Your making it to wherever you have to be at that moment should never come at the expense of a young Fan crying.

The tables have turned for Hailee Steinfeld, the 14 year-old Star of True Grit, a certified critical and commercial success and front runner for Best Picture this year at the Oscars.  Steinfeld was auditioning for the part of Mattie Ross (which she got eventually) on the lot of Paramount Studios, when when she had decided to ask Glee Star Lea Michele for an Autograph.  The Girl practically was ignored and told "Sorry, now's not a good time!" by Michele's Bodyguard.

PRODUCT WATCH: ZICO COCONUT WATER | THE CELEBRITY COCONUT WATER WARS

If you pay attention to the Tabloids, you'd know that Madonna will not be seen anywhere without her Coconut Water. People Magazine proclaims that the beverage is now a "one million dollar industry" and its popularity only continues to spike.  With the rage finally spreading north of the Border with distributors finally beginning to carry it here, I decided to give it a try. Mind you, Madonna publicly endorses Vita Coco Coconut Water, actually owning a share in the company, so it's little coincidence that she's seen often smiling with a bottle pressed close to her heart. 

Upon perusing the beverage selection at my beloved Whole Foods, I found Zico Natural Coconut Water in an 11 oz. enviro-conscious Tetra Pack (330 ml).  Thanks to Coca-Cola buying a large share in the company last Fall, it is now accessible in these parts, although it is a bit of a task finding a shop that has competing brands O.N.E. and Vita Coco in stock in this city.

I made the mistake of drinking the beverage at room temperature last night in my excitement to try it. Fatal error. Yuck.   Luckily, I did scoop up a few boxes and refrigerated them and upon trying the drink (extracted from Green Coconuts) chilled, I can say that it's actually quite refreshing. It's light, mild-flavoured and a much more natural, healthier alternative to the likes of Gatorade if you're looking to quench your thirst and hydrate; or even a Banana if you're looking to up your Potassium intake without the calories.  Heck, I'd even throw in some Pineapple Juice (Organic, of course), a bit of Rum and a Paper Umbrella in it if I had some lying around!

A serving of Zico Coconut Water is only 60 Calories, has 0 grams of Fat - ditto for Cholesterol. It does however, have 15 grams of Carbohydrates and 14 grams of Sugar as we are living in a Carbo-fearing era.  Worth a try at $2.69 CAN a pop, which is pretty reasonable.

Just for fun, let's see who's on Team Vita Coco, Team O.N.E. and Team Zico:

TEENAGE PAPARAZZO - A SNAPSHOT OF CELEBRITY OBSESSION

After creating quite a splash on the Festival circuit, Entourage's Adrian Grenier is ready to unleash his documentary Teenage Paparazzo in theatres.  The film centers around a then-13 year-old boy named Austin Visschedyk, whom Grenier discovered trying to snap his photo once.  Fascinated by his story, Grenier decided to make a Documentary about him and through a wider lens, a study on the fixation of Celebrity and Fame in youth.   Visschedyk has taken and sold photos of the likes of Paris Hilton, Audrina Partridge, Lindsay Lohan, Adam Sandler and many more.

Teenage Paparazzo will be distributed in Canada though Mongrel Media and is actually one I've been keeping my eye on for a while.  Visit its Canadian website here.  Grenier will be visiting Toronto late August to promote the film, which opens August 27, 2010 in Toronto and Vancouver.

SIMON MONJACK, WIDOWER OF BRITTANY MURPHY DIES

This is absolutely tragic.  Simon Monjack, widowed husband of Brittany Murphy, passed away last night in the couple's home just five months after Murphy's untimely death.  Monjack had a history of heart problems and the Los Angeles Police had indicated he died of "natural causes", not "criminal activity" or "foul play".  This hasn't stopped many sources and blogs from pointing quickily to his death being the result of a Drug Overdose.  It's cruel that we live in a world in which media still continue to feed off of death instead of respecting life and its fragility.

This is an example of life imitating art.  Monjack's obsession with Celebrity and untimely death was illustrated in his screenplay for The Weinstein Co.'s excellent film Factory Girl (2006).  The film followed the story of socialite Edie Sedgwick and her quick rise to fame.  She was manipulated and used by Pop Art Guru Andy Warhol, the same man who made her a star; she fell subsequently due to drug and alcohol dependency.  Like Sedgwick, both Murphy and Monjack passed away far before their time and were victims of the cruel, ugly side of Celebrity.  To read a non-assuming, less-biased accounting of the incident, click here. (Photo credit: Associated Press)

KATE, SANDRA AND JENNIFER - REAL MEN

When things just aren't working out with your partner, look to these fine ladies as your inspiration.  Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Aniston handled/are handling their break-ups with dignity, poise and class.  Instead of beating a dead horse on a lost cause and embarrassing themselves publicly or via their PRs, they took/are taking time to focus on what's important.  Themselves.  

I salute these ladies for handling their break-ups like "Real Men" would.  We could all learn a lesson or two from them.  Trust me - it's their loss, ladies.

THE MR. WILL-W. MUSEUM OF SIGNED ARTS

Over the years I have compiled an extensive collection of celebrity autographs.  And after reviewing my collection, I must say that I am astonished at the signatures I have amassed, so I thought I'd share them with you.

One of these will be Ga-given away on my blog shortly.  Perhaps you can guess which one.  But you will only know the details if you keep visiting. Stay tuned for details.  Excited? :')

Welcome to my never-before seen private collection and enjoy.  Click here.

xW

BARBARA WALTERS' TEN MOST FASCINATING PERSONALITIES OF 2009

I don't watch much television, but on Wednesday nights I am sure to put aside the gym, light some candles, pop open a bottle of wine, cuddle on the couch with my dog Billy and enjoy a hot little hook-up named Glee. During a commercial break, I realized that Barbara Walters would be revealing her annual Ten Most Fascinating Personalities on ABC. I am always curious to see whom she picks and her eclectic 2009 list includes:

10. Lady Gaga - pop's new megastar; it turns out she's not a hermaphrodite (!) and that she enjoys sex with women. Out of respect, she took her sunglasses off for Walters.

9. Jenny Sanford - wife of adulterous South Carolina governor
8. Tyler Perry - director, actor, producer and cross-dresser who overcame an abusive childhood
7. Glenn Beck - Fox News' outspoken television personality
6. Brett Favre - recently retired and then not retired NFL star
5. Kate Gosselin - recently divorced mother of eight and reality television star
4. Adam Lambert - openly gay American Idol runner-up
3. Sarah Palin - former U.S. Vice Presidential candidate and now sexy author; her second time appearing on the list.
2. Michael Jackson’s Children - Paris, Prince Michael and Prince Michael II ...the world is watching more closely than ever
1. Michelle Obama - American First Lady and trash television lover

Who's missing?

A CELEBRITY AFFAIR

I'm sorry, but billionaire golfer Tiger Woods allegedly cheating on his wife Elin Nordengren is not news - although they would want you to think this. There is a public misconception that being a celebrity or a sports icon somehow elevates one to a higher moral plain. Well, it doesn't.

Celebrities, like your Postman or Pharmacist, are capable of having affairs too. So why is it that we expect more of them morally speaking and why do we raise such a fuss when they slip?