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In celebration of this year’s Australia Day down unda, the Australian Post has announced and unveiled a new set of special edition postage stamps that feature Australian legends Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush and Cate Blanchett. How fabulous! Here is a photo of the Aussie legends as they’ll appear on the first batch of postage stamps and some information about this postal tribute:

Australians will get the chance to lick four of the nation’s most popular entertainers who have been selected to appear on a special series of postage stamps to mark Australia Day. Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe and Geoffrey Rush have been named Australia Post “Australian Legends” in the lead-up to January 26. “These four outstanding Australians have captured the imagination of millions of people in Australia and around the world with their award-winning performances,” Australia Post managing director Graeme John said in a statement. There are eight 55 cent stamps in the series, featuring photos of the stars in and out of character, including Kidman from Moulin Rouge, Blanchett from Elizabeth, Crowe from Gladiator and Rush from Shine. “I am utterly, deeply humbled and chuffed by the fact that I’m a stamp,” Blanchett said in a statement. “I’m going to be licked by millions of Australians and I can’t wait. It is also recognising the value of the arts in Australia. It brings it into general consumption and if I’m part of that, I feel intensely proud.” Kidman was similarly pleased with her selection. “I have a vested interest in Australia,” Kidman said. “I want my children to live here at certain times of their life and see how wonderful it is. It would be lovely for them to lick a stamp, put it on an envelope and say ‘that’s my mum’.” Each of the stars will be presented with 24-carat gold replicas of their stamps.

In the US, you have to be dead (like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, etc.) or not living (like Mickey Mouse, Superman, etc.) to have your likeness printed on postage stamps but I think it’s very cool that other countries choose to honor people while they are still alive … and can appreciate the tribute. As the article mentioned, there are 8 total stamps to honor these Australian legends — after the jump, check out the other 4 stamps that feature these actors in some of their most famous movie roles …

Yesterday we saw a few photos of Jessica Simpson making her arrival in Charlottesville, VA ahead of a live performance (opening for Rascal Flatts) scheduled for last night at the University of Virginia‘s John Paul Jones Arena. It was the first time Jess appeared in public since photos of her previous performance last weekend (showing her curvier new figure) sparked much conversation (some, not very nice) about her weight. Last night, Jess took to the performance stage again and sang her heart out (making the faces to prove it) and, at the close of her set, thanked her fans for their support:

In her first performance since the flap over her figure, Jessica Simpson strutted across a Virginia stage in skin-tight leather pants Thursday night and lamented the world’s “completely pointless” focus. “Thank you for your support,” she told the crowd in Charlottesville at the end of her set. “Stay positive, and pray out loud! I love you guys, good night.” Simpson, 28, never specifically mentioned the news of her new curves or the vocal support from her sister Ashlee and Kim Kardashian. But in her performance opening for Rascal Flatts at the University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena, Simpson was no-nonsense and outspoken in her black pants, V-neck T-shirt and hip-length black jacket. “Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder,” she told the crowd. “So just appreciate.” She added: “I feel like in our world today we focus on so many things that are completely pointless.” Fans overwhelmingly supported her. “She’s obviously comfortable with herself to wear those leather pants,” says UVA freshman Laura Tiezzi. “Good lord, give the woman a break, she looks great,” adds Debbie Stollings, a 43-year-old kindergarten teacher in Charlottesville. “It’s mean. She looks more curvy, more womanly. She looks healthy. If Tony Romo’s happy, everybody else need to be too.”

While I still contend that Jessica‘s facial expressions on the concert stage are too ridiculous for words (an opinion I’ve held for quite some time), I think she looked great on that stage last night … freaky faces, notwithstanding. I imagine that it cannot be easy for her to hear some of the nasty things being said about her so I honestly believe she is genuinely thankful for the support she’s received from fans.

After her airport arrival yesterday but before her live performance last night, Jessica was spotted on the streets of Charlottesville yesterday afternoon … lookin’ about as fine as she ever has:

I blame that really fug outfit she wore last weekend on all this insane “controversy” about her weight. Again I say, she looks happy and healthy and that is all that matters. Keep doin’ your thang, Jessica. I may not be a fan of the music but I am a big fan of your resolve to not let the haters get you down.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Yesterday we saw a few photos of Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning actress/singer Jennifer Hudson on the set of her new music video If This Isn’t Love … her return to professional life after stepping away from her career to grieve the tragic loss of three members of her family. Last night, J. Hud arrived in Tampa, FL (with pooch in hand) ahead of her performance at the SuperBowl there on Sunday. Here are a couple pics of Jennifer and her little friend as they made their way thru the airport:

As you know, Jennifer Hudson has been asked to perform the National Anthem at the start of the game Sunday so I’m sure she wants to be in town to get some practice in. SuperBowls always come with hugh parties and lots of social events in the days leading up to the game … mebbe J. Hud is planning to let her hair down and party with some friends. I really hope she has an amazing weekend in Tampa, she really deserves it. I can’t wait to hear her belt out the Star Spangled Banner come Sunday.

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

After a few unconfirmed of rumored line-ups for this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival set to take place in Indio, CA this April (one alleged that Britney Spears, with Madonna as guest star, would headline), the official band line-up was released today. The biggest news, I suppose, is that former Beatle and current Sir Paul McCartney has signed on to be the festival’s major headliner. Along with McCartney, The Killers and The Cure are also headlining the festival on Day Two and Day Three of the fest respectively. Here is the official list of all the bands scheduled to perform at Coachella this Spring:

One of winter’s annual waiting games is finally over. After days of speculation, false deadlines, more speculation and a totally bogus leaked lineup posted by none other than Ryan Seacrest, the talent roster for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was announced early Friday morning (January 30), and it’s full of surprises. In keeping with a recent trend of major heritage artists headlining on one night (Prince, Roger Waters), former Beatle Paul McCartney will top the bill for the first night of the 10th annual three-day desert fest (April 17-19) at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. It is McCartney’s first-ever U.S. festival appearance, in support of his recent release under the Fireman moniker, Electric Arguments. The Killers have the top-billing honors on the second night, along with a surprising second headliner, troubled British singer Amy Winehouse, who hasn’t played a show in the U.S. in more than a year due to her ongoing struggles with drugs and health issues. The final night is topped by goth rock legends the Cure and reunited shoegazer icons My Bloody Valentine. As always, the wildly eclectic festival will present a wide range of rock, noise, dance and indie acts, including Morrissey to Franz Ferdinand, iconic poet/crooner Leonard Cohen, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, mashup DJ Girl Talk, the Ting Tings, the Hold Steady, TV on the Radio, hush rockers Band of Horses and Fleet Foxes, pummeling metalists Mastodon, drum-and-DJ duo Travis Barker and DJ AM (a.k.a. TRAV$DJ-AM), buzzy Glaswegian rockers Glasvegas, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, possibly retiring rapper Lupe Fiasco, hip-hop legends Public Enemy and Swedish dance/trance queen Lykke Li.

The full lineup of the festival:

April 17: Paul McCartney, Morrissey, Franz Ferdinand, Leonard Cohen, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Beirut, The Black Keys, Girl Talk, Silversun Pickups, the Ting Tings, the Crystal Method, Ghostland Observatory, Crystal Castles, the Airborne Toxic Event, We Are Scientists, N.A.S.A., Patton & Rahzel, M. Ward, the Presets, tThe Hold Steady, A Place to Bury Strangers, Felix da Housecat, Buraka Som Sistema, Ryan Bingham, Bajofondo, Peanut Butter Wolf, Noah & the Whale, White Lies, the Bug, Alberta Cross, Los Campesinos!, Craze & Klever, Molotov, Switch, Gui Boratto, Steve Aoki, the Aggrolites, People Under the Stairs, the Courteeners, Cage the Elephant, Dear and the Headlights.

April 18: The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Thievery Corporation, TV on the Radio, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, MSTRKRFT, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Atmosphere, Mastodon, TRAV$DJ-AM, Henry Rollins, Crookers, Turbonegro, Hercules and Love Affair, Superchunk, Glasvegas, Dr. Dog, Drive-By Truckers, Booker T & the DBT’s, Amanda Palmer, the Bloody Beetroots, Surkin, Para One (Live), Calexico, Liars, Bob Mould Band, Zane Lowe, Electric Touch, Blitzen Trapper, James Morrison, Drop the Lime, Glass Candy, Thenewno2, Gang Gang Dance, Billy Talent, Ida Maria, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Zizek, Cloud Cult, Tinariwen.

April 19: The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Throbbing Gristle, Lupe Fiasco, Paul Weller, Peter Bjorn and John, X, Antony & the Johnsons, Roni Size, Public Enemy, Jenny Lewis, Groove Armada, Paolo Nutini, Christopher Lawrence, Lykke Li, The Kills, Okkervil River, M.A.N.D.Y., Clipse, Sebastien Tellier, Fucked Up, Perry Farrell, The Horrors, Late of the Pier, K’naan, Junior Boys, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Supermayer, No Age, Vivian Girls, Shepard Fairey, Themselves, Gaslight Anthem, the Knux, Mexican Institute of Sound, the Night Marchers, Marshall Barnes.

Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday at 12 a.m. ET, with three-day passes going for $269 and single-day tickets for $99, plus applicable fees. And, for the first time at Coachella, in a nod to the financial struggles affecting many Americans, promoters are offering the option to buy three-day tickets and onsite camping on a payment plan (50 percent down) through February 28.

The line-up looks pretty sweet but, again, I think I may have to take a pass on this fest. While it sounds like a great way to see so many amazing bands all in one weekend, in practice, it is more of a logistic nightmare … and did I mention that Coachella is in the California desert? Honestly, I prefer seeing my fave bands one or two at a time in more intimate surroundings … but, truth be told, since moving to LA my concert-going practices have slowed down significantly. When I lived in Detroit I went to shows constantly … course, then I wasn’t involved in a cross-country relationship that had me flying back and forth all the time. Mebbe now that David and I are settling in one place, there’ll be more time to see shows … but I am WAY digressing. I know that many people are very excited for the Coachella Festival each Spring … so now those folks know who they’ll be seeing this year (click HERE for a comprehensive list of My Space profile pages for the bands appearing at Coachella this Spring). And now we know for sure that Amy Winehouse is going to have to leave St. Lucia at some point … she’ll be at Coachella this year (supposedly). Tickets for the festival go on sale in about an hour from right now — click HERE to order your tickets online at 12pm ET/9am PT.

[Source, Source]

John Mayer, who hasn’t been seen in the company of Jennifer Aniston for quite a few weeks now, was spied enjoying a quiet Mexican dinner date with a mysterious blonde woman in Santa Monica, CA last night. Now, it’s entirely feasible that this mystery chick could be a friend or family member but then again … she could be something else:

She could be an employee or a co-worker, mebbe someone connected with that variety show he’s reportedly developing for CBS … she could be anyone. HMMM. I wonder if Jennifer Aniston knows who she is. Any guesses who y’all think she might be?

[Photo credit: X17]

As y’all should be well-aware by now, Joaquin Phoenix has decided to given up his successful acting career for a career in music … rap music, to be exact. Early last week we saw photos and video of Joaquin‘s attempts to rap in Las Vegas and because of the insane ridiculousness of his performance, folks began to speculate that he is merely trying to pull a fast one on all of us. In response, a rep for Phoenix has issued a public statement that insists that he is very serious about launching a genuine career in rap music, that it is no hoax. HMMM. Here is a pic of the rapper-wannabe (wearing a Miss Kentucky sash) posing with some of the 2008 Miss America Contestants at The Palazzo in LV on the weekend that he performed:

Doth the rep protest too much? In the wake of Entertainment Weekly’s having speculated Wednesday that Joaquin Phoenix – with the aid of his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck – was performing an elaborate ruse regarding his transition from Oscar-nominated actor to falling-off-the-stage rapper, Affleck’s rep said this career switch is no hoax at all. In a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, the spokeswoman said, “I believe the transition from one career to another is never smooth. Unfortunately, Joaquin has had to make this transition in the spotlight of fame.” She added, “He comes from a musical family and won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. He intends to explore his musical interests despite speculative, negative or positive reactions.” As for Affleck, who has been filming Phoenix around L.A., his rep says, “Casey intends to document this transition and hopes to create an unprecedented, intimate portrait of a very private yet famous person.”

Now, I don’t know whether he’s really serious or if this is just another component of a suspected elaborate hoax … but I do know that Joaquin Phoenix appears to have lost his damn mind. When a person goes from being an accomplished Academy Award nominee to lookin’ like a smelly hobo in the span of just a couple of years … well … hoax or not, I think he’s flipped his wig. Whatever the hell is going on, I can’t wait to see what he tries to pull off next. I suspect there is more wacky fun to come from Joaquin Phoenix.

[Photo credit: Getty; Source]

After David Beckham thrilled Italian soccer fans in Milan by scoring one of the goals (his first for his new team) that led to AC Milan‘s big soccer win last weekend, Becks and the Milanos were back in action yesterday to take on Genoa in another soccer match. Becks scored AC Milan‘s sole goal of the game which, unfortch, did not win the game but did allow his temporary team to tie with their competitors. Here are a few pics of Becks in action yesterday afternoon:

David Beckham scored from a free kick with England coach Fabio Capello looking on but Diego Milito tied the game three minutes from the end and AC Milan settled for a 1-1 draw with Genoa on Wednesday. A victory would have put Milan into a tie for second in the Serie A standings with Juventus, which lost 2-1 to Udinese goals from Italy forwards Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale. League leader Inter Milan won a drama-filled match 2-0 in Catania with 10 men. Midfielder Dejan Stankovic put Inter ahead five minutes in, heading in a cross from Julio Ricardo Cruz, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it 2-0 in the 71st minute, shooting into an empty net after Catania goalkeeper Benjamin Bizzarri misjudged his attempt to intercept a pass from Stankovic. Inter leads with 49 points, Juventus was next with 43, Milan 41 and Genoa 37. Also, Francesco Totti returned from injury and scored in AS Roma’s 2-1 win over Palermo, and Fiorentina took advantage of Napoli’s fourth-string goalkeeper in a 2-1 victory. Beckham’s second goal in two games arrived in the 33rd minute at San Siro, a trademark curling shot from the left of Genoa’s area inside the near post. Beckham is hoping to be called up by Capello for a friendly against Spain on Feb. 11 and equal Bobby Moore’s record of 108 England caps for an outfield player. Apparently bothered by a muscle problem, Beckham was replaced by Mathieu Flamini in the 71st. Beckham nearly scored in the opening minute, with Genoa goalkeeper Fernando Rubinho forced to push the former England captain’s shot wide. Beckham picked up a yellow card in the 30th minute for a foul, shortly before his goal. Beckham’s fellow midfielder Andrea Pirlo hit the crossbar twice with free kicks. Argentine forward Milito scored his 13th goal of the season from close range, although he may have been offside. “This was a misstep that I’m not pleased with,” Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “We weren’t able to win a game in which we played very well, and for what we did, we deserved to win.” Milan has not lost since Beckham joined the club on a two-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, winning twice and drawing twice. “I’m very upset because the team is going through a period in which everything is going right, but the season goes on,” Ancelotti added. Beckham has indicated he was considering staying with Milan beyond the loan period. “He’s appreciated and thought very highly of and if he stays we’ll be happy,” Ancelotti said. “But he’s got to resolve the problem with (the Galaxy).”

While I am very happy that Becks is doing so well with his temporary new team, I’m still really bothered by all this talk of “the problem” with the LA Galaxy. There is no problem. David Beckham signed a very lucrative contract (which allowed him to buy a new mansion, new cars, new tattoos and a very expensive purse for his wife Vicki B.) with the LA Galaxy to play soccer for the team for a set number of years. No problem. Should he wish to get out of his contract, which I’m not sure the Galaxy is at all interested in, I’m sure giving back the $50+ million he was paid would be in order. BUT, that is a discussion for another time. After the jump, check out a few more pics of Becks on the soccer field yesterday — celebrating his big goal …

Jennifer Hudson, who has been staying out of the public eye in the weeks since members of her immediate family were slain in Chicago, IL, is slowly resuming work in order to try and move on from the tragic loss of her mother, brother and nephew. It has been reported that J. Hud will be singing the national anthem at this Sunday’s Superbowl in Florida but she’s already gotten some other word taken care of, as well. Jennifer has already filmed scenes for her next music video for her new single If This Isn’t Love … here she is on set:

As you may or may not already know, J. Hud‘s self-titled debut album received four Grammy nominations including one for Best R&B Album. I understand that this new music video will debut the week of February 9. After the jump, check out a couple other photos of Jennifer on the set of her music video …

It looks like I am not the only person who is moving into new digs this week … roommates Lauren LC Conrad and Lauren Lo Bosworth have packed up the shizz at their home in the Hollywood Hills and have moved to a highrise apartment building in Westwood, CA. I suspect we’ll be seeing all about it when new eps of the MTV reality TV series The Hills return this Spring:

Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth are heading out of the Hollywood Hills. The two roommates are ditching their house for a high-rise complex in the Westwood area of Los Angeles. “She wanted more security, and being in a building with a doorman will allow her that,” says a source. Just [this past Tuesday], friends such as Stephanie Pratt, Brody Jenner and girlfriend Jayde Nicole were at her home for a barbecue—all taped by MTV crews, of course. Could it have been a going-away party, perhaps? Maybe L.C. should have considered a block party. No doubt neighbors won’t miss having the Hills camera crews and constant paparazzi presence that came with having her in the neighborhood. Lauren’s and Lo’s rep had no comment.

Man, LC changes homes more than some people change their underwear … I believe this is at least her third move since The Hills went on the air a few years ago. It’s like she just keeps moving higher and higher. To be honest, I considered highrise apartment living for me and David when we started making plans to live together … I thought it would be a nice transition for him since he’s used to living in tall buildings with doormen. Just think, we could’ve been LC‘s neighbors … and then David would’ve prolly turned right back around and flew back to NYC :) I understand that LC‘s new building is one of the swankier buildings … can’t wait to see what it looks like from the inside.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Moving preparations continued yesterday as I started to pull things off my walls and pack other things into their boxes. I’ve been spending most of today leaping between piles of boxes and crazy clutter in every room. I still have a few things I want to box up on my own but I’m really looking forward to having a team of movers come in and do all the tedious rest. Blah.

Nothing at all exciting to report … last night I placed the last food delivery to my apt. Tonight I’m meeting with Jordan for dinner and tomorrow I’m heading out to celebrate Kirsten’s birthday … David arrives Saturday and then I’m outta here on Sunday. I’m at t-minus 3 days and counting. I am SO looking forward to getting the move over with … it’ll be nice to start settling again, putting together my new home with David. I’m getting really excited now … wee!