HMMM. I guess now that Chace Crawford’s character has settled down with Joanna Garcia’s character and Ed Westwick’s character has settled down with Leigton Meester’s character … the field is wide open for Penn to get his mack on. I guess it’s gonna take me some time to get used to the idea of Dan Humphrey breakin’ hearts on GG but … that’s why they call it fiction, right?

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Here she is! Hilary Duff joins the cast of Gossip Girl as movie star Olivia Burke for the Oct. 5 episode titled “Dan de Fleurette,” and we have the exclusive first look at Duff in character on the set! Duff’s character is assigned to be Vanessa’s (Jessica Szohr) roommate at NYU—their dorm room is the setting of the still above—and through Vanessa, Olivia gets to know Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley). Olivia becomes attracted to Dan, and vica versa. Of course, there’s a twist: Dan is so tuned out to pop culture that he doesn’t realize the girl he’s falling for is a huge movie star famous for her role in a Twilight-esque series of vampire movies. Still, the two college kids manage to make their odd-couple pairing work, and cuteness ensues. Yay!

LOL! Isn’t it amazing that Hilary Duff in character as Olivia Burke looks a lot like Hilary Duff in, well, real life? I’m thinking the fact that the Olivia character is described as “movie star who enrolls at NYU“ will help Hilary’s acting abilities immensely … but, I guess there’s always room for epic failure. I’ll hold off on judgment of her acting skills on GG until I actually see them in action. This is a nice sneak peek tho … hopefully we’ll get to see something more substantial soon.

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Oh yeah, Penn Badgley is featured in these pics as well but I’m sure he don’t mind gettin’ lumped in with the ladies. I’m really looking forward to the return of this show especially to see if Hil D. will enhance the show or not. Not for nothing but I haven’t actually seen Hilary Duff in anything before so I have nothing to base an early opinion on … I do trust the GG folks to make some great eps so … I’m hopeful. Shoot, no matter what Hilary’s role on the show will be I deffo know that I’ll be tuning in for Chuck Bass’s gay kiss :) Woot!!

[Photo credit: X17]

Clearly, Hilary is trying to get more acting gigs under her belt … she’s been in a couple of movies recently and did a guest stint on Law & Order: SVU earlier this year. This new gig on stint on Gossip Girl could be just the right vehicle to get her back on the acting map. Long gone are her days on Lizzie Maguire, so she’s got some work to do to get back in the public consciousness as an actress. While her attempt to get her own show on NBC, titled Barely Legal, didn’t get picked up by the network at least she can take heart that the folks at GG took pity saw that she would be a great asset to the show. I mean … she’s already decked out in a hipster straw hat … she’s well on her way. Do any of y’all think Hil will blend seamlessly in with the rest of the cast or will she stick out like a big “guest star” sore thumb?

[Photo credit: Splash News]

We first got a sneak peek of Hilary Duff’s Femme for DKNY Jeans line when Gossip Girl co-star Jessica Szohr turned up at a Louis Vuitton party sporting a $59 floral cardigan from the collection, and now, the ads are out. Hilary stars alongside models Sophie Srej and Gracie Carvalho in a New York City street-inspired ad campaign. Combining Hilary’s personal style and the individuality of New Yorkers — the inspiration behind her designs — the Femme for DKNY Jeans fall ‘09 ads were shot on the Manhattan streets by Scott Schuman, best known for his street style blog The Sartorialist. With Hilary joining the cast of Gossip Girl this fall, we couldn’t think of a better theme than the gritty and glam streets of New York for her latest design venture.

Um, I don’t know that the “individuality of New Yorkers” can really be expressed in a line of clothing designed from inspirations gleaned from the ex-Lizzie Maguire but … good for her for making the effort! I’m sure these new threads will be flying off the shelves … especially if any of them get featured on upcoming eps of Gossip Girl. And suddenly, Hilary’s decision to join the show makes much more sense. At least she, unlike some of her poptart contemporaries with their own lines of clothing, has got a more respectable design house behind her. Will any of YOU be wearing Femme by DKNY this season?

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Is the Upper East Side big enough for Serena, Blair and the Duffster?! We’re about to find out because the onetime tween sensation is joining Gossip Girl for a multi-episode arc, sources confirm to me exclusively. The actress-designer-pop chanteuse will play Olivia Burke, a movie star who enrolls at NYU in search of a traditional college experience. She ends up rooming with Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) so it’s safe to say she’ll be majoring in Drama! Duff will debut in this season’s fourth episode, slated to air Oct. 5. Gossip producers spotted an opening in Duff’s schedule after NBC passed on her comedy pilot Barely Legal.

Whoa! Now that’s a scoop. First GG manages to attract Michelle Trachtenberg to join the cast and now Hilary Duff … not too shabby. I hadn’t heard that NBC passed on Duff’s Barely Legal TV series so that’s news to me as well. I really think that Hil D. will fit in perfectly with the Gossip gang. I’m sure it won’t be long until we see her on set in NYC filming her first scenes for the series. What do y’all think … is this news about Hilary joining the GG cast good news or bad?

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The 24th AIDS Walk New York, the annual walkathon that raises money for local AIDS service organizations, took place in Manhattan on Sunday. Organizers estimate that more than 45,000 people attended, raising as much as $5.6 million. Many participants walked in honor of people who they had lost to HIV/AIDS: a brother, a sister, a friend. Monique Parker came to pay tribute to her brother Anthony who passed away in 2005 at age 45. She explained that it had become a tradition for her to attend the event. A number of family members and friends had joined her in her homage to Anthony. Minerva Velasquez came in memory of her sister Myriam who died of AIDS back in 1994, leaving two sons behind her. “It’s a celebration for me. We honor the good times spent together, especially the fun moments,” Velasquez said. “My sister was truly a very funny woman and I want her to be remembered that way. She never lost her humor until the very end.” Since its inception in 1986, the funds raised by AIDS Walk New York have benefited Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) – a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization that has been a leader in the fight against AIDS – and dozens of other tri-state HIV/AIDS service organizations. AIDS Walks allow service organizations to be accessible to anyone who is HIV positive, even people with little or no financial means, which helps local communities prevent the spread of the disease. Participants met at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and braved the drizzle and wind in Central Park, right by the Sheep Meadow (south of 72nd Street) where the walk started. The opening ceremony featured actress and singer Hilary Duff, Carson Kressley (”Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) and Brooke Smith (”Grey’s Anotomy”). In addition, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus – who greeted attendees with a “Welcome ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between” – were there to interpret popular songs such as the famous “Dancing Queen” by the band ABBA, which did not fail to cheer up the crowd before the beginning of the 6.2-mile walk. Participants started walking through Central Park at 10 a.m. all the way up to 110th street – Cathedral Parkway – and down Riverside Drive before finishing up back in the park on 72nd street. Volunteers were cheering walkers and giving out free refreshments and snacks all along the way. The crowd was very diverse: young, old, gay, straight, black, Caucasian, Latino and the general atmosphere was very friendly.

Because of the struggling economy, estimates on funds raised by this year’s AIDS Walk New York were set very low … the $5.6 million was a number that far exceeded what organizers were hoping for. Said Dr. Marjorie Hill, CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis: “Today’s powerful results show that tough times, indeed, will not break our stride.” Congrats, kudos and much thanks goes out to those folks who participated in yesterday’s AIDS Walk. Until a cure can be found, we must not slow our resolve to help raise funds and awareness to battle this deadly disease. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it … much love and respect goes out to the celebs who use their fame for great causes like this. It says a lot that folks would take time out of their bizzy schedules to participate in important events such as this. Please keep up the great work!!

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and AIDS Walk New York (AWNY) announced today that the Empire State Building’s famed floodlights will soon honor the 24th annual AIDS Walk New York. On Thursday evening, May 14, beginning at dusk, the world-famous spire will glow red to kick off the AIDS Walk weekend. Special guest Hilary Duff will lead a Lighting Ceremony in the lobby of the Empire State Building. The event will begin at 12 p.m. and last for about 15 minutes. During the ceremony, Ms. Duff will throw a prop switch to illuminate a scale model of the Empire State Building in the building’s lobby for members of the media and invited guests. On Sunday morning, May 17, Ms. Duff will also co-host the AIDS Walk Opening Ceremony in Central Park, and will then walk with her team “Hilary Duff — Walk with Love.” Additionally, she also appears in public service announcements and a variety of other AIDS Walk communications focusing on prevention and encouraging New Yorkers to register for the event. “In tough times, it’s even more important for people to get involved,” says Duff. She continues, “Everyone should find a cause they believe in whether it is something in your local community or something as big a global issue as AIDS.” “From sunset to midnight on Thursday, New Yorkers will see the solid red color, synonymous with AIDS awareness, beaming from the building. The red lights will serve as a reminder that AIDS is still a matter of great urgency in New York and throughout the United States,” said Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC, the world’s first AIDS organization and AIDS Walk New York’s primary beneficiary. “The lighting will also honor hundreds of thousands of walkers and donors who have participated in the AIDS Walk over the event’s 24-year history,” said Craig R. Miller, Founder & Producer of AIDS Walk New York. “As one of the largest, most esteemed, and most diverse public events in New York City, we are so proud that the Empire State Building has again chosen to recognize and promote the vital work of GMHC and AIDS Walk New York,” Miller added. This is the third year the event has been so-honored.

I am thrilled that Hilary Duff has teamed up to participate with this year’s AIDS Walk New York. I’ve always been impressed with her previous charity work and this time is no exception. She seems so committed to working for important charities and events that really could use her help. You may recall that she appeared in the Think Before You Speak PSA for GLSEN to help educate kids about using harmful language in school. Even at a young age, she understands that her help and association with these events will help inspire others to participate themselves. Hil D. is my girl. I love her for all the amazing charity work she continues to do :)

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

This role is a far cry from her days as Lizzie Maguire but, as the clip clearly shows, she’s grown into a mature young woman. I’m most impressed by her tough as nails accent … but don’t take my word for it — after the jump, check out the clip in full for yourselves …

Hilary’s ep of SVU will air on April 28 and she will play a “young and irresponsible mother” named Ashlee Walker who comes under the watchful investigation of the SVU heroes when Ashlee’s young daughter Sierra goes missing (cue the dramatic music). There has yet to be any info regarding Duff’s appearance on Ghost Whisperer but her role has been described as “mysterious” (I’m guessing, a ghost?). Additionally, Hilary Duff has signed on to appear in a new TV series called Barely Legal where she will play a young woman who passes the California Bar exam at the age of 18 to become the youngest practicing lawyer in the State … I presume it’s a comedy. It’s nice to see that Hilary will be going back to her acting roots in the coming weeks and months. As you prolly know, Hilary has been keeping herself bizzy with her music career but how many Greatest Hits albums can one person release before they move on to something more interesting? I, for one, am really looking forward to Hilary’s return to the small screen. It’s been ages since I’ve had a Lizzie Maguire fix so … bring it on, Hil D!

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