Hayden Panettiere Dons Her Cheerleader Costume Again

'Heroes' worship
Friday, September 4th, 2009

Production is in full swing on the SoCal set of the new season of Heroes as starlet Hayden Panettiere was spotted on set rockin’ her classic cheerleader costume. Might Hayden’s character Claire’s return to the world of cheerleading be a ploy to woo viewers back to the show?


As you may recall, Heroes adeptly utilized the Save the Cheerleader, Save the World storyline to catapult the show’s ratings into the stratosphere, making it one of the most successful shows of the year. Since that time, ratings have waned and interest in the show has fallen off considerably. It makes total sense that the show would want to hearken back to a time when it was hugely successful in order to remind viewers to watch the show again. The fact that Hayden looks good in her cheerleading garb couldn’t hurt either. I guess we’ll see if the Heroes cheerleader can help save the show in the coming season.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Hayden Panettiere Does ‘Details’ Magazine

"It wasn’t like I suddenly started feeling different. I always knew that I was."
Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere, who has a new film titled I Love You, Beth Cooper opening in theaters soon, is featured in the new issue of Details magazine. In the piece, Hayden talks her paparazzi paranoia, having a high profile personal life and getting beat up in middle school. Here is her Details mag photo along with a portion of her interview:


AS HAYDEN PANETTIERE WALKS a deserted strip in Hollywood, the 19-year-old star of NBC’s Heroes glances around nervously, occasionally spinning her head to check behind her. Wearing short denim shorts and brown UGGs and toting a big bag, the diminutive actress looks like an elfin princess on the run. “Hello,” she says, walking into a little vegan restaurant, greeting me as she shrugs off her load. She orders a bowl of brothy vegetable soup and twirls her little gold whale-tail necklace, a symbol, she explains, of her devotion to the cetacean cause. The petite, bronzed blonde keeps looking out the window, over her shoulder. Not surprisingly she’s afraid she’s been followed—Panettiere has become the ultimate tabloid chum. She has lived her whole life in the public eye. “I started doing this, and I know it sounds absurd, but 11 months old, I did my first commercial.” The daughter of an actress and a New York City firefighter, Panettiere spent her childhood bouncing between 30-second spots and roles on One Life to Live and Guiding Light. “I remember hearing in first grade, ‘Oh, why does she get to skip school?’” she says. “It wasn’t like I suddenly started feeling different. I always knew that I was. I never felt I missed out—in fact, it was like, ‘Oh, thank God I’m not that.’” Namely, she means, a regular kid. It’s not easy being beautiful and special and talented, and Panettiere lived through her share of Mean Girls shit. Mostly homeschooled, she occasionally returned from acting gigs to her public school in Rockland County, New York, and her classmates’ wrath. In middle school, she was punched in the face by “a very angry, very sad girl,” she says, as if echoing the words her mom used to comfort her at the time. “I was tortured, emotionally tortured by these girls. Every time I came back from filming, it would be me trying to find my way back into the clique. And they weren’t having it.” Panettiere seems to have emerged victorious from her teen trials. After a series of minor TV and movie roles, she was cast at age 16 as Heroes’ invincible cheerleader, Claire, and quickly blossomed into the queen of high-school geeks of all ages. (Her new teen comedy, I Love You, Beth Cooper, is about a nerd who falls for the hottest, most popular girl in school—notice a trend?) … There have been times when the media scrutiny was more than she could take. “It’s turned my life upside down and shaken it,” Panettiere says, referring to the incident in August 2008 in which her father was accused of hitting her mother and later charged with misdemeanor battery. Her father called it a misunderstanding, saying, “Nothing actually happened,” then pleaded no contest. “It was very tough, especially since it’s my family,” Panettiere says. “It’s one thing if you do it to me. I get frustrated, but I can handle it. But when it involves my family, my friends, forget it—I lose my . . . ” Panettiere pauses—then regains control. “I learned the game. The more I react, the angrier I get, the more satisfaction they get. That’s exactly what they want.” As Panettiere drains her bowl of soup, two young Orthodox Jewish men who have been circling in front of the restaurant finally come inside, holding cameras. “Excuse me. I’m sorry, I know this is extremely rude, but we’re from the East Coast and you’re the first famous person we’ve met. Is there any way I would be able to get a picture of you?” “You don’t want to meet famous people.” “If it’s possible, please,” the guy says. Panettiere puts down her spoon, and as they awkwardly drape their arms around her, she gives the camera a practiced look. “Thank you so much. Thank you. I’m sorry,” they say as they back out of the restaurant, already reviewing the images on the camera. “I gave them a half-smile,” she says matter-of-factly. “It’s a survival skill.”

On the one hand, I think it’s totally inappropriate to bother someone for a photo or autograph while they are eating … that should go without saying. But for Panettiere to feel she needs to employ “survival skills” when she is recognized by fans then she prolly should seek a different career. I can totally understand how the constant crush of fame can get tiresome but I also know that celebs really love the money and cache that comes from being famous. It is absolutely a double-edged sword … you take the good with the bad. In my personal experience, Hayden has been nothing but totally sweet to me. I’ve met her a few times … we chatted for a bit at the Star Trek premiere a couple of months ago. BUT, one of my very good friends suffered an unpleasant encounter with her when he tried to say hello to her at a public event (not while she was eating, not while she was talking to anyone else … at a promo event that she was paid to attend). I mean … I get it but when fame starts getting too much to bear, mebbe it’s time to try something else? I do enjoy her work and I will prolly see Beth Cooper when it opens (tho, I doubt the friend who she was mean to will want to come with me) but I’d rather the girl keep her sanity and get out of the limelight rather than become a bitter person.

[Photo credit: Matthias Vriens for DETAILS; Source]

The 2009 MTV Movie Awards Are Handed Out

Mostly to 'Twilight' but some other folks got awards, too.
Monday, June 1st, 2009

Clearly, the folks who voted for the 2009 MTV Movie Awards were BIG Twilight fans because they chose to heap numerous awards on the film and its actors over bigger movie blockbusters like Batman: The Dark Knight and the Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The show should’ve been renamed the 2009 MTV Twilight Awards cuz, really, that’s what the whole thing turned out to be. Here are a few pics of some of the red carpet arrivals at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA, a run-down of what went down last night and some pics from the show itself:


The MTV Movie Awards were a blood bath Sunday night with “Twilight” taking five trophies, including best movie. But it was Sacha Baron Cohen who gave the show its trademark bizarro moment when he landed upside-down on the lap of Eminem, who may or may not have been deeply offended. “Twilight,” the popular vampire drama starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, sucked up golden popcorn trophies for best movie, best fight, best kiss, breakthrough male performance and female performance during Sunday’s freewheeling and often-bleeped ceremony at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif. “The fans are the ultimate driving force,” Stewart said while accepting her best female performance trophy (which she promptly dropped on the floor, breaking off a chunk of the golden popcorn). Awards were decided by fan votes. Other winners included “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” star Zac Efron for male performance and his co-star Ashley Tisdale for female breakthrough performance. Miley Cyrus accepted the best song from a movie prize for “The Climb” from “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” preventing “Twilight” from sweeping all six nominated categories. An award new to this year, the “WTF moment,” went to Amy Poehler’s scene in “Baby Mama” where she urinates in a sink. But even that was upstaged by Baron Cohen, who flew in on a wire, hanging above the audience. Dressed as flamboyant character “Bruno” in a pair of feathery white wings and his rear end mostly exposed, the comedian crashed into an overhead obstacle and was lowered headfirst into the lap of Eminem, his bare hindquarters in the rapper’s face. “Is the real Slim Shady about to stand up?” chirped Baron Cohen. Eminem seemed visibly upset by the encounter, and members of his entourage roughly removed Baron Cohen as the rapper struggled to get out. But had the rapper’s self-styled homophobic character been punked by Baron Cohen and MTV, or was he in on the elaborate stunt? Free of the scene, Eminem stormed out with his entourage in tow — and cameras rolling — and hit the exits. Baron Cohen’s descent to the audience was included in rehearsals, but Eminem — who performed Sunday night — didn’t take part in that piece of the run-through. As the rapper stormed off, it sounded as though he was wearing a microphone, and cameras were in position to record his fast exit, but he was not seen or heard from again. Baron Cohen’s publicist, Matthew Labov, had no comment when reached after the show. A spokeswoman for MTV would not confirm whether Eminem was caught by surprise, and representatives for the rapper did not immediately return requests for comment Sunday night … Besides handing out awards for movies from the past year, MTV debuted new footage from the upcoming films “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” and “New Moon.” The highlight of the “Twilight” sequel clip: A newly buff Taylor Lautner transformed instantly into a giant, menacing canine, fans’ first look at one of the storyline’s werewolves.

LOL. I was surprised that Twilight only won 5 awards … from watching the show, it seemed like the movie won every category announced. It’s very clear that the Twilighters have spoken … and they love their vamps! They also love their awkwardly, fidgety starlet Kristen Stewart … who fumbled and itched her head thruout her acceptance speech for Best Female Performance (she looked like a crack addict pheenin’ for a hit) — and then dropped her award trophy onto the ground. In case you missed it the first time or just wanna watch it again, you can watch the full video of her onstage acceptance speech (and fumble) after the jump …

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‘Star Trek’ Premieres In Hollywood, CA

A star-studded affair beams the new 'Trek' into town
Friday, May 1st, 2009

The principle cast, along with a few folks from previous incarnations of the franchise as well as a few celeb fans, made their way out to Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA last night for the Hollywood premiere of JJ Abrams’s new Star Trek film (tho you may recall that the film already premiered in Sydney, Australia and London, England). Hollywood Blvd. teemed with Trekkies and celebs alike clamoring to be a part of the big party … and David and I were lucky enough to be among them. Here are a few pics of the new cast of Star Trek making their entrances on the red carpet (which was actually black and silver) and some deets from last night’s affair:


In 1966, “Star Trek” was launched on television, then unceremoniously canceled due to low ratings. In 2002, fans mourned the death of the franchise after a movie and new TV series were both poorly received. In 2009, a time-traveling reboot has relaunched the Enterprise — and filled Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with fans renewed in their belief that “Trek” will live long and prosper. “I’ve only seen about half the movie,” grinned Leonard Nimoy on the movie premiere’s massive black carpet, admitting that the emotion of passing the Spock torch to Zachary Quinto left him unable to sit through the film’s heart-tugging second half with dry eyes. “I’m very proud of him.” “I couldn’t love him any more; I’ve just been so honored to get to know him,” Quinto returned, adding that Thursday night’s celebratory atmosphere would even prove infectious for the logical character the two men share. “Spock loves to party; he loves to let his bangs down every once in a while.” In addition to the movie’s stars, such proud Trekkies as Amanda Bynes, Neil Patrick Harris, Leighton Meester, Rainn Wilson and Heidi Klum walked the event’s massive stage shaped like the “Trek” logo. “This is like Cinco de Mayo and Yom Kippur all rolled into one for me,” “Inglourious Basterds” actor Samm Levine marveled. Director Robert Rodriguez was equally excited, saying he was torn over his favorite “Trek” character: “I love Captain Kirk, but I love the Vulcan grip too, so I’ve gotta go with Spock.” New Kirk Chris Pine insisted that the film, which comes out May 8, stays true to Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a harmonious future. “To present a positive image of the world, there’s nothing better than that,” he said. “I can’t believe this amazing series has lived for 40-something years,” beamed Zoe Saldana, the new Uhura. “And now we’re here.” “This is definitely the craziest premiere I’ve been to, and definitely the biggest,” explained Rachel Nichols, one of the movie’s sexy alien green girls. “It’s the hottest ticket in town.” The death of “Trek,” it seems, was greatly exaggerated when the series hit a speed bump in the early part of this decade. And down to a person, all the new crew members credited the well-reviewed 2009 film to the brave resurrection efforts of J.J. Abrams and his creative team. “Three years ago, J.J. called me and was like ‘Is “Star Trek” dead?’ ” recalled Damon Lindelof, a producer on Abrams’ “Trek” and “Lost,” as hundreds of pointy-eared fans shrieked at the stars. “Now, three years later, we’re here.” “‘Star Trek’ is cool again,” said an amped-up Karl Urban, who plays the new “Bones” McCoy in the film. “It’s hip; it’s sexy. It’s ballistic.”

Gene Roddenberry’s vision for Star Trek was to create a series where hope, prosperity and unity were the hallmarks of a bold new vision of the future. When Star Trek was created, there was still so much racial unrest in this country that it seemed like absolute science fiction that people of different races (and species) could co-exist in a semi-peaceful future landscape. You may know that the original Star Trek series provided US television with its first interracial kiss (between James T. Kirk and Uhura). So much has happened since Trek first blazed its way on our televisions. Abrams’s new vision for Star Trek is nothing short of epic … but I’ll get to my review of the film a little later on. After the jump, check out which Star Trek stars from days of yore came out for the premiere and see which celebs count themselves as rabid Trekkie fans …

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Hayden Panettiere & Katy Perry Chill With Minnie Mouse

Take a bow
Monday, April 27th, 2009

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere and popstar Katy Perry (who was recently seen hangin’ with Rihanna in Barbados) met up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, FL over the weekend to pose for a cute pic with Disney World’s HBIC Minnie Mouse … behold:


Hayden and Katy were chillin’ at the park before they took to the stage for Disney’s Grad Nite, which is an in-park concert for High School seniors (Hayden hosted, Katy performed). The three ladies look all cute with their matching bows and shizz … it sounds like the Grad Nite was a big hit this year — bands like Metro Station and White Tie Affair also performed for the high school seniors. It’s hard to believe that it’s already graduation time again … but when the Mouse says it’s time to graduate, it’s time to graduate. Congrats class of 2009!!

[Source]

Hayden Panettiere Does British ‘In Style’ Magazine

Glam bam, thank you ma'am
Monday, March 30th, 2009

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere is featured on the cover and in the pages of the new issue of British In Style magazine lookin’ super glamorous in her accompanying photospread. In her coverstory interview, she reveals her desire to be a mother to 4 children in order to fulfill her desires as an Italian woman … or some such nonsense. Here is Hayden’s In Style mag cover and a portion of her interview:


Hayden Panettiere found fame in the cult US TV show Heroes as a strong-willed teenager. But in real life the actress feels much more grown up, as she shows in her latest photoshoot for In Style magazine. Despite being only 19 blonde-haired Hayden reveals she is planning a large family. “I always said I want four kids – I love kids,” she said. “I would love to be a mum and to have a family – for Italians, it’s the most important thing you can have.” But Hayden says she would not want her children to follow her into the acting world. “I think you have to be a pretty strong person to enter the industry that young and not be affected by it,” she said. “I was lucky, but I’d never want my kids to be subject to that much criticism at such a young age.” However Hayden may have to wait before she starts her family. Last month she broke up with her 31-year-old Heroes co-star Milo Ventimiglia, with sources citing the 12-year age gap as a factor.

I think at 19, she’s got time to worry about the 4 kids later on. Tho, I can understand where she is coming from. Believe it or not, a certain someone I know who is very close to me as informed me that he would like to have a large family since he grew up with 3 other siblings very close in age. I don’t know about Hayden’s readiness to have so many babies but I know I’m not quite there yet … and I’m just a wee bit older than 19. But, you know what, do your thang girl … have your babies if you like. In the meantime, why don’t we just check out a few photos from Hayden’s In Style mag photospread …

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‘Glamour’ Magazine Salutes Female American Icons

Hollywood starlets pay homage to iconic women in US history
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

American icons like pilot Amelia Earhart, athlete Brandi Chastain, First Lady Michelle Obama and the inspirational symbol of female empowerment Rosie the Riveter (who was based on a real woman named Rose Will Monroe) are honored in the new issue of Glamour magazine which has enlisted a group of young Hollywood starlet to portray various female American icons in an amazing new photo shoot. Here is a photo of Lindsay Lohan’s homage to Madonna:


You can do anything! That’s the message of the seven decades of female risk takers, rule breakers and style makers here. We celebrate them with the help of some very-2009 young talents.

What a great idea for a magazine photospread! I love how each iconic woman is represented by a younger member of Young Hollywood to portray her. After the jump, check out a bunch of my fave icons who are featured in this new issue of Glamour along with a short explanation of their iconicness …

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