Archive for November 19th, 2008
Tyra Banks, US Supermodel and the creator of her glamorous reality show ‘America’s Next Top Model’, has surprised ANTM’s first transgender contestant Isis King with a gift that many could only dream about-A free sex change operation.
Banks announced on her talk show Tuesday that she would help King become a woman — a real woman. The talk show hostess announced that she has found a doctor to pay for King to undergo sex reassignment surgery.
Born Darrell Walls on October 1, 1985, King is the Prince George’s County resident. The 23 year old was born a mail, and was living in a homeless shelter when Banks discovered her and featured her in a photo shoot for the 10th cycle of her reality series.
King returned as a full-fledged contestant on “America’s Next Top Model” this season, but was kicked off almost midway through the current season after failing to produce a stunning photo during a shoot that required her to pose in swim suit.
“Darrell was somebody that I had to be. He had to be a certain thing. Darrell was never me. Isis is me. I’m free, I’m happy,” King said.
“This is not happening! “[I feel] like I’m about to wake up,” King said when Banks told her that they are going to transform her completely into a woman. On her show, Banks introduced King to Dr. Marci Bowers, a leading gender reassignment surgeon.
Dr. Bowers, who has experienced the surgery herself, is paying for the surgery.
King had been taking hormone replacement therapy but hadn’t received the surgery because of the high costs ($20,000 to $35,000).
“I look at it like, ‘Yes, I’m the first transgender contestant, but OK, lets move past it now. I try not to think about [being transgendered] because… I feel like I really was born in the wrong body, and it’s just the one thing that makes me feel uncomfortable,” King said Tuesday on Banks’ talk show.
Born in Los Angeles December 4, 1973, to Carolyn and Don Banks, Tyra Banks has parlayed her supermodel status into film, television, and music. She first emerged to prominence on the runways of Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, and the U.S., but her work in the commercial world was her breakthrough.
Banks is best known as hostess/judge of the reality television show America’s Next Top Model, and is currently hosting her own Daytime Emmy Award-nominated talk show, The Tyra Banks Show.
America’s next top model (ANTM) is a competitive reality TV show hosted and co produced by former Victoria’s Secret model Tyra Banks with the first cycle premiered in May 2003 on UPN (later CW). The “Top Model” finale airs Wednesday, Nov. 19.
source: themoneytimes.com
November 19th, 2008
SHE barked away rumours she was romancing a toy-boy this year but has Elle Macpherson got her cougar claws into an eligible American silver fox?
That’s the question buzzing around the world after the Aussie supermodel was spotted looking smitten on the arm of NBC legal correspondent Dan Abrams.
The 44-year-old yummy mummy met the 42-year-old part-time news anchor two months ago at a New York film screening, where they drew attention for being “deep in conversation” during the night.
A second appearance this week strolling arm-in-arm after dinner at exclusive eatery The Waverley Inn had the NY Post gossip column convinced it’s one new merger to watch.
The potential pairing has been given a nod of approval by the city’s social set, citing Abrams’ “thing for statuesque blondes” after having been engaged to Law & Order bombshell Elisabeth Rohm, 35, before they split in 2005.
He was most recently in a relationship with British actress Jaime Murray, 31 best known for her roles in TV series Hustle and Channel 10 drama Dexter, before they split this year.
Macpherson has denied more men than she could possibly have dated this year, rejecting claims she was linked to the 21-year-old son of director Julian Schnabel and more recent reports of ties to convicted drug smuggler Brian Burgess.
source: news.com.au
November 19th, 2008
Model HEIDI KLUM dresses to impress – but only because she wants to look good for husband SEAL.
The couple wed in 2005 and has two children together – and the Project Runway host insists marriage hasn’t dampened her attraction to her singer beau.
And Klum likes to keep herself looking sexy for him, despite regularly mocking his own style choices.
She tells U.S. magazine In Style, “I’ve gotten more stylish since I’ve been with my husband. I was always making fun of him because he has so many leather coats, jackets and shoes. But he looks hot. I want to look good for him. So I kind of stepped it up a bit.”
source: contactmusic.com
November 19th, 2008
New mom struts her stuff at 2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
For better or worse, Hollywood actresses and models set the bar for what we consider beautiful today. While good genes definitely play a part, top beauties also work hard to stay in great shape, especially after having a baby.
Take supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio. Despite having had a baby less than three months ago, the 27-year-old Brazilian bombshell looked sensational strutting her stuff Nov. 15 at the 2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Miami.
When asked how she regained her pre-pregnancy body so quickly, Ambrosio gave a simple but boring answer. “[It's] just working out. There’s no magic, [just] close your mouth,” she said. “Basically, don’t eat any chocolate or sweets…nothing that’s unhealthy. Lots of healthy food, working out a lot, lots of cardio.”
Similarly, Oscar winner Angelina Jolie stunned the crowd at the Oct. 4 premiere of her new movie, the Changeling, in New York. Despite having had a baby in July, Jolie, 33, looked svelte and stunning in a fitted black cocktail dress.
While rumors swirled that Angelina had undergone a tummy tuck after the birth of her twins, it’s far more likely that diet and exercise were responsible for her sensational post-baby body. Indeed, in November, Jolie confirmed that she works out for an hour three times a week doing Pilates. She has also followed a healthy diet and regular workout routine for years.
In the unforgiving world of fashion and show biz, looking less than your best can have a direct impact on your paycheck and public image. Take Alessandra’s fellow Victoria’s Secret Angel, Karolina Kurkova. When the leggy 5′11″ Czech supermodel strutted the catwalk last summer at the Cia Maritima show during Sao Paulo Fashion Week, the local paper trashed Kurkova, saying she was “too fat” to walk the runway. Kurkova seems to have taken the criticism to heart, having slimmed down enough to grace the catwalk at this year’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
But the emphasis on looking good is no longer limited only to supermodels and actresses. Recently, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin ignited a media firestorm when she was named John McCain’s vice presidential running mate on Aug. 29. While Palin, 44, was previously an obscure local politician, the fit mother of five quickly became a media sensation who energized the Republicans’ conservative base with her spunk and good looks. Surprisingly, Palin had given birth to her fifth child just four months before being named the VP nominee.
So what’s Sarah Palin’s secret for regaining her pre-pregnancy shape (she has obviously had lots of practice)? Again, it’s not rocket science: She follows a low-fat, high-protein diet and is an avid runner. Whether you agree with her political views or not, there’s no denying that Palin is in great shape–especially for a middle-aged mom of five.
Whenever a celebrity is fit or gets back into shape quickly after giving birth, it’s easy to say it’s just because they have a personal trainer or a nutritionist. But, in reality, the answer is simpler and more mundane: Hard work and persistent effort. Just ask Alessandra.
source: theimproper.com
November 19th, 2008
