OPRAH WINFREY IN TORONTO FOR "OPRAH'S LIFECLASS"

Deepak Chopra & Oprah Winfrey in Toronto - April 2012

Between morning and evening Tapings of the Oprah Winfrey Network's Oprah's Lifeclass today at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 17,000 devout Fans came out to show their support. With $50-$395 Tickets selling-out quickly, support for the Queen of Daytime Television is still alive and well in Toronto, despite her much-publicized admittance that finding a channel to make OWN accessible to all has been her greatest challenge thus far.  Fielding questions from Fans online via Twitter, Skype and Facebook, Winfrey once again has shown her ability to adapt with the times yet still showing that same level of passion and commitment to helping her Followers.

Touching upon theme of Forgiveness today with Inspirational Speakers/Authors Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra and Iyanla Vanzant, many wisdoms were shared with Winfrey's "Students". Sharing her brand of Wisdom with Fans, her thoughts are summed up nicely with her statement that "Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different". 

Chopra states also that "Holding on to resentment is like holding your breath and you will suffocate yourself".  He says too that "Others' opinions of you are none of your business and you will never forgive yourself if you care", drawing applause from the Crowd.  Winfrey at one point told Chopra that she wasn't ready as he went "too deep" in his Philosophies to which he responded hilariously, "Well, I am Deep-pak"!

Vanzant told the Audience, "Until you heal the wounds of the past you will continue bleeding", while Robbins encourages others to follow is Mantra, "I am more than my circumstances" - himself knowing well about Forgiveness having grown-up under the care of an abusive Mother whom he admit to the Toronto Audience had once force-fed him soap and beat him as a Child. 

This afternoon's Taping of Oprah's Lifeclass will air as the Series' Season Two Finale on April 30, 2012, while this evening's Taping aired live. 

 Click here to watch.

(Photo credit: OWN)

LADY GAGA TO LAUNCH "BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION" ONLINE

Lady Gaga in Toronto - June 2011

At long last, Lady Gaga will be launching her Born this Way Foundation today at Harvard University, Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 from 4:00-5:30pm EST. The Foundation aims to explore the best ways to reach youth and create a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment and the Launch to be attended by the likes of Deepak Chopra, Oprah Winfrey and The Mother Monster's Mother herself, Cynthia Germanotta, will be streamed live here.

RSVP for the Event here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

OPRAH'S LIFECLASS: THE TOUR TO COME TO TORONTO

Oprah Winfrey at TIFF 2009

Oprah Fans, rejoice!  The Multimedia Queen will be bringing her Oprah's Lifeclass: The Tour to Toronto on Monday, April 16, 2012 with count 'em, two shows!  Although details have yet to be finalized still, here's a clue for those of you hoping to get Tickets.  

So far St. Louis and New York City have been announced as stop-offs, but four days ago, Inspirational Speaker Tony Robbins revealed to a Fan on Twitter, that he can be expected as a Special Guest in Toronto.  Writer/Doctor Deepak Chopra will be joining Robbins also on the Tour's New York date.

Tony Robbins Tweets a Fan

Follow the Oprah Winfrey Network Canada on Twitter for more details.

Special thanks to Reader @KevinYounge for the headsup!

UPDATE: Get your tickets here, quick!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

COCO LEE WEDS CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN BRUCE ROCKOWITZ

CoCo Lee, Bruce Rockowitz & Ne-Yo

Congratulations to one of Asia's biggest Superstars CoCo Lee, who just wedded Canadian Billionaire Businessman Bruce Rockowitz.  Festivities took place in Hong Kong at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kowloon.  Lee, a Singer-Songwriter who was raised in San Francisco and is based out of Taiwan, met Rockowitz in Hong Kong eight years ago.  For those who were wondering, Vera Wang custom-designed her Wedding Dress.

The lavish Ceremony, witnessed by 300 of the Couple's Friends and Family,  was followed by a lavish Reception where guests dined on Italian fare including Wagyu Beef Cheek & Sole, Burrata Cheese Ravioli, Tiramisu, Vanilla Panna Cotta and much more. A private Jewish Ceremony also took place yesterday.

Although there was much extravagance at the Rockowitz-Lee Wedding, the Entertainment perhaps was the biggest thing they had in-store.  Major Stars Bruno Mars, The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo performed before the intimate audience, with Lee joining them on-stage at points.  It is said also that Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Lopez (some are saying Beyoncé too!) were flown-in privately for the occasion too... still awaiting Photos to confirm this. All this rang-in at a whopping total $20 million US!

CARSON KRESSLEY IN TORONTO FOR "CARSON NATION"

Carson Kressley & Billy

In Toronto to promote his new show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Carson Nation, Style Guru Carson Kressley wanted one thing and one thing only this morning - Starbucks!  The New York native is known best for his turn on the hit show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and his philanthropic work for both Animals and Gay Rights.  His new Series sees him touring various towns and cities, rewarding one deserving person a full-on transformation.  Read more about it here.

Spotting him during a Coffee Break at Jarvis x Bloor alongside his friendly Publicist, he was charmed by Billy, stopping to pose for a Photo together with him while on his Press Tour. Being in the presence of a Fashion expert I had to ask him one itching question since I have never been one to wear socks in the Summer, which results often in painful Blisters on my already aching feet.  Without hesitation, the tanned and toned Blond gives me an endorsement,  "Oh, you have to get these things called Peds which are like invisible socks that you put on your feet.  P-E-D-S.  They work really well.".  Upon looking into them further, I found out that the no-show Socks can be ordered online.

SHANIA TWAIN TO RELEASE COMEBACK SINGLE "TODAY IS YOUR DAY"

Shania Twain in Toronto - May 2011

Too amazing!  Since going v. public about her healing process and what she calls a "loss of voice", Shania Twain is back and on-the-verge of a Comeback.  Today is Your Day, an Acoustic Track heard on her Oprah Winfrey Network Reality Show Why Not? will mark Twain's return to Music after an extended  seven-year hiatus.   

The Track will be available as a Download on June 12, 2011 at 11:00 PM EST following an airing of the episode titled Endless Love which shows exclusive footage of her Wedding Ceremony with Husband Frédéric Thiébaud. The same episode airs one week later in Canada, but the Single will be available digitally simultaneously with the U.S.

Watch her perform the Track below with Gladys Knight on the Series:

ANDERSON COOPER AT CTV'S FALL 2011 UPFRONTS FOR "ANDERSON"

Anderson Cooper at CTV 2011 Fall Upfronts

I've just died and gone to Heaven. Or the next closest thing to it. Making a rare appearance in the City, Television Personality/Author/Journalist Anderson Cooper surprised just about all of us flying into Toronto to promote his upcoming new Talk Show, Anderson. Developed by Warner Bros. and Telepictures, the Program is expected to debut this Fall on CTV, as announced today at their Upfronts, held at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.  Fans of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360° need not fear as he will be hosting both Shows simultaneously.

Cooper, I can honestly say, is even more handsome in-person - an attentive Listener as I observed how Fans outside the venue told him personal accounts of how he has touched their lives.   And he cared genuinely.  With Oprah Winfrey having exited the Daytime Talk Show circuit recently, Cooper is being touted as "The Next Oprah" - big shoes which I have no doubt he will be able to fill. Definitely one of my prouder moments in Celebrity-meeting.

Although one would think that Cooper would opt to try some of the City's fancier Fare for Dinner, he actually dined on Drive-Thru from McDonald's tonight as per his Tweets. He most definitely was in a rush, as he was set to broadcast his Anderson Cooper 360° live from Toronto this evening from an unspecified location.

See some more Photos below:

"OPRAH WINFREY" FINALE AIRING TODAY

Oprah Winfrey - TIFF 2009

Today marks the end of an Era in Television as Oprah Winfrey’s final Show airs later today. The final Taping which took place yesterday was considerably modest compared to her Monday and Tuesday-aired episodes recorded at United Center in Chicago, which featured Celebrity Guests like Tom Cruise, Madonna and Stevie Wonder.

The focus of the final Episode is said to be between Winfrey and her Fans with one chair only on-stage and an audience including names like Tyler Perry, Cicely Tyson and soon-to-be-Divorée Maria Shriver. Fans leaving the Taping reported the experience as being emotional and the Cameras follow Winfrey about as she walks through the halls of Harpo Studios, bidding farewell to members of her staff.

Have some Kleenex ready! And remember, she’s not really gone. The Oprah Winfrey Network is still around!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

AUTHOR JAMES FREY AT INDIGO MANULIFE FOR "THE FINAL TESTAMENT OF THE HOLY BIBLE"

Mr. Will-W. & James Frey

"If I wanted to enrage people, I would've had the Messiah fuck a Dog. I'm not trying to offend people with my writing, but at the same time I would never limit him (the Messiah) to anything I wouldn't think he'd do." - James Frey, on his new Book The Final Testament of the Holy Bible.

Screenwriter/Author/Director James Frey made a rare visit to Toronto today promoting his controversial new Book, The Final Testament of the Holy Bible at Indigo Manulife Centre. The Book depicts a Pansexual Jesus Christ who engages in the consumption of Drugs. Speaking to an intimate audience, Frey admits to Host Heather Reisman, "I want people either to love or hate this Book.  I consider it a failure being in the middle.".

Frey is no stranger to controversy having been confronted harshly by one of his greatest Champions Oprah Winfrey on her Talk Show in 2006 to address the authenticity of his claims that Best Seller A Million Little Pieces is in fact really a Memoir. Five years and two more Best Selling Novels later, Frey returned to The Oprah Winfrey Show (his only Press so far) in a special two-hour Interview airing yesterday and today, where she apologized to him for not hearing his side of the story fully.  To this day, Frey stands by his argument that all Memoirs require some degree of embellishment.

Frey's agenda is honest admitting, "I want to be the most influencial Writer in the World, even though I don't think I've quite gotten there yet. I'm not interested in selling ten copies of a Book.". Compared to the massive success of his earlier work, he is being less ambitious this time around, pressing 10,000 copies of his new Book for the U.S. and only 3,000 copies for Canada, to be distributed exclusively at Indigo.

TIME MAGAZINE REVEALS ITS MOST INFLUENCIAL PEOPLE OF 2011

May 2011 issue of TIME

TIME Magazine has announced its annual TIME 100, honouring the most influencial People in the World. whose ideas have sparked dialogue and even revolution.  Included on the list this year are Arianna Huffington, Bruno Mars, Chris Colfer, Blake Lively,  Justin Bieber, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Mark Zuckerberg, Colin Firth, Sting, Amy Poehler, Michelle Obama and more!

Check out the complete list here.

(Photo credit: TIME)

SHANIA TWAIN TO DO TORONTO BOOK SIGNING FOR "FROM THIS MOMENT ON"

Shania Twain at 2011 Juno Awards

Best news all year!  Shania Twain will be signing copies of her Autobiography From this Moment On at Indigo Manulife Centre on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7:00 PM!  The Book is said to spare no details on her rise to Stardom and the Aftermath.

Indigo confirmed this amazing news at 11:00 AM on Twitter.   

Twain's six-part Reality TV Series Why Not? will premiere on OWN later that week, Friday, May 13, 2011. She's Gonna Getcha Good!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

TINA FEY ANNOUNCES PREGNANCY ON "OPRAH"

Still from 30 Rock - Tina Fey & Oprah Winfrey

A surprised audience who attended the Taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show today learned that Tina Fey is expecting her second Child.  Yay!  Congratulations, Tina! 

This will be Fey's second Child as she has a five year-old Daughter Alice with Husband Jeff Richmond.  She currently is promoting her new Book, Bossypants, which is now in stores.  The Interview will air on Tuesday, April 12, 2011.

(Photo credit: NBC)

SHANIA TWAIN TO BE INDUCTED INTO CANADIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Shania Twain

Congratulations to Shania Twain in what’s already shaping-up to be a fantastic year for her! It was announced last night that she will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the JUNO Awards, which will take place in Toronto on March 27, 2011.  CTV will be broadcasting the event, hosted by Rapper Drake. The JUNOs though, are nothing new for the just-remarried Twain who in her illustrious career has nabbed a total 12 Awards honouring the best in Canadian Music.

SHANIA TWAIN ENGAGEMENT CONFIRMED BY US WEEKLY

Shania Twain on Us Weekly

Do people no longer believe in good old fashioned love? Canada's beloved Shania Twin according to Us Weekly, is now engaged to Nestle Business Executive Frederic Thiebaud. But wait - get this - Thiebaud is the former Husband to Twain's former Best friend Marie-Ann, now the partner of her ex-Husband/Producer Mutt Lange.

Anyhow, there's a Ring involved and everything as seen by onlookers in New York City recently, but Us Weekly is wise to keep specifics under wraps until their next issue hits Newsstands this Wednesday!  Click here to read more in the meantime.

The added Publicity definitely doesn't hurt seeing that Twain's new Reality Show Why Not? will be launching on the Oprah Winfrey Network early January.  Exactly - why the heck not?  Go Shania!  We won't judge.

(Photo credit: Us Weekly)

OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK TO LAUNCH IN CANADA MARCH 2011

OWN's Official Logo

Canada, are you ready for Oprah all day, every day? It has just been announced that Oprah Winfrey's much-talked about Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) will be launching in Canada via Corus Entertainment on March 1, 2011. Its U.S. launch will be taking place two months prior on New Year's Day.

OWN which targets Women aged 25 to 54, will be replacing existing channel VIVA as it caters to a similar demographic. To prepare Canadians for its launch, Corus' W Network and VIVA will be airing blocks of programming from OWN throughout January and February.

The many exciting programs to come include a reality show from Shania Twain, plus Talk Shows from Gayle King, Sarah Ferguson, Rosie O'Donnell and Lisa Ling. Above this, Julia Roberts will star in a Documentary called Extraordinary Moms, which also will be airing on the network!

To learn more about OWN's programming, click here.

NEW MUSIC: RICKY MARTIN - THE BEST THING ABOUT ME IS YOU FT. JOSS STONE

Who ever said that "coming out" kills a career?  Ricky Martin is back and all eyes are on the singer as he preps the release of his first single since 2005, a duet titled, The Best Thing About Me is You ft. Joss Stone.  There is also a Spanish version of the track featuring Natalia Jimenez. 

Although the track isn't anything remarkable, Martin clearly knows who his target audience - the ladies - and has faith that they will be just as supportive as they once were on this number. 

Martin will be appearing on tomorrow's episode of Oprah Winfrey and also The View on Wednesday discussing his experience since "coming out" and life with his twins Matteo and Valentino.

This new track will be released via RCA/Sony Music on his new album which is still untitled and without a set release date. Preview it in full below, courtesy of Sony Music (Flash Player required):

INTERVIEW: SHAHEEN

Shaheen

13 year-old Actor/Singer Shaheen is onto something special.  Since stunning the world virally with his jaw-dropping audition on Britain's Got Talent before a skeptical and then impressed Simon Cowell, the spotlight has been on the brilliant boy from Wales.  Appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Oprah Winfrey and even a spot on the late Michael Jackson's ill-fated This Is It Tour have solidified the fact that the world is ready to embrace its next big international teen sensation. 

Now ready to unleash his eagerly-awaited debut album When I Come of Age from Island Records/Universal Music on November 22, 2010, the adorable Shaheen took a few moments out of his busy schedule to chat with Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven readers.

Mr. Will-W.: Hi Shaheen, thanks for dropping by to chat with us as we're honoured to be one of the first outlets  in Canada (and first Canadian Blog) to feature you!  Now we're all excited to hear what's on When I Come of Age. What can you tell us about this first album and why have you decided to release two singles at the same time?

Shaheen: My album is important to me; it’s not like all the other albums that are coming out, its not very poppy and sounding the same as a lot of other tracks out there. It’s got kind of a Motown/contemporary feel to it. We decided to release Last Train Home/Hip Teens as a Double A-side because they show how versatile I can be. Last Train Home is a great ballad and Hip Teens is faster and a lot of fun. I hope everyone will get involved in my new competition to star in my video for Hip Teens. It’s for anyone who loves to dance. Check out my website for more details.

Mr. Will-W.: Many people don’t know that in addition to being a very talented singer, you also act. Both are very different. Describe how they are different for you. Do you prefer one over the other?

Shaheen: I prefer singing more but acting is something I’ve done and I wouldn’t mind doing again but right now I’ll concentrate on the album and what’s happening now and then possibly one day go into acting or something. I’d like to be in movies maybe. My favourite actors are Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHANIA TWAIN!

Happy Birthday Shania!  Canada's Country Sweetheart Shania Twain celebrated her 45th Birthday at her cottage in Muskoka region this weekend.  I have no idea how our friends at Canadian Tabloid knew that, but they managed to nab an exclusive shot of her over on their Blog, enjoying the morning from her Balcony. Amazing! 

We're all anxiously awaiting Twain's reality show, Why Not? on The Oprah Winfrey Network in 2011 as there is still no set release date for her next album.  Expect those promotional wheels to be in full motion again soon.  Bring it, Lady!

(Photo credit: Associated Press)

OPRAH TOPS FORBES LIST; LADY GAGA RANKS FOURTH

Forbes Magazine has listed their annual Top 100 World's Most Powerful Celebrities list which compiles figures based on Pay, TV/Radio Rank, Press Rank, Web Rank and Social Rank and topping this year’s list again is multimedia magnate Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey was surpassed by Angelina Jolie last year, although the latter has had a quiet year, slipping to number 18 on the list. Surprisingly though, Beyoncé Knowles ranks second, ahead of Avatar director James Cameron. Lady Gaga shoots up to number four on the list, earning $67 million this past year believe it or not. She must loathe herself completely right now because she has very publicly claimed how much she hates money, no?

The list is as follows:

1. Oprah Winfrey

2. Beyoncé Knowles

3. James Cameron

4. Lady Gaga

CHARICE EXCLUSIVE TORONTO PHOTOS AT MUCHMUSIC

From a childhood of domestic abuse and meager abundances, to performing on Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah and now reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Sales Chart, nobody could possibly have guessed Charice's fate. Her mentor David Foster, has called the pint-sized singer "the most talented girl in the world", which is quite the compliment considering he has worked with pretty much all of her idols including heavyweights Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Céline Dion. The eighteen year-old singer arrived in Toronto last night as part of a promotional tour which has her appearing on CTV's Canada AM, YTV, MuchMusic's MuchOnDemand and a live performance at Eaton Centre tomorrow, followed by a Meet and Greet at Indigo Bookstore. And this is only one of many promotional stop-offs.

Charice arrived at MuchOnDemand this afternoon and spoke about her rise to stardom after having been discovered on YouTube. She mentioned her influences and singing from a very young age in the Philippines, stating that music in her homeland tries very much to be like the amazing music in America. When asked about her friendship with Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber, whom also was discovered on YouTube, she said that the two are good friends and confirmed indeed that they are not dating. She indicated that she treats him like "her little brother". Charice though has her heart set on another very popular Justin (Timberlake, that is) and she giddily recalled how she got a chance to meet her idol last November, which had her literally shaking. Timberlake is said to have been floored by her three-song performance at the CS Board of Governors Gala, asking Foster "Where did you find this girl?".