Last week, Kylie Minogue was on hand for a special ceremony at the Empire State Building where she flipped the switch to light up the famed skyscraper in honor of DKMS Linked Against Leukemia charity and this week, it’s Hilary Duff’s turn. Earlier today, she was on hand for an event where she was allowed to flip the switch to light up the Empire State Building in honor of the 24th Annual AIDS Walk New York Event which gets underway this coming Sunday morning. Here are a few pics of Hilary at today’s lighting event and some info from the event’s press release:

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]

Last week we got our first look at Hilary Duff’s upcoming guest appearance on the NBC crime drama Law & Order: SVU and today we get to see her in action. NBC has released a short preview clip from next week’s ep titled Selfish wherein we get to see and hear Hilary act like a “young and irresponsible” mother:

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 …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

It was previously reported that Hilary Duff would be guest starring on an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU (as well as the Ghost Whisperer) but at the time of that reporting, no information about what Hilary’s role would be or when the ep would air on TV was available. Today, we finally have that information as well as our first look at Hilary on the set of L&O: SVU:

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!

[Source]

Each year, for NY Fashion Week, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute hosts their annual Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Fashion Show which features designs from some of the hottest designers (both established and up-and-coming) being modeled on the runway by some of the most fashionable celebs on the scene … or just so happen to be available ;) Here are a few pics of some of the celebs who rocked their red dresses on the runway at this morning’s fashion show and some deets on this year’s event itself:

The annual Heart Truth Red Dress Collection, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is arguably the feel-good moment of Fashion Week as a star-studded lineup of celebs and athletes strut their stuff on the runway wearing, natch, red dresses from top designers to promote heart health awareness among women. This morning’s joyous romp at the tent was no exception. A breathless Tim Gunn provided a welcome message, calling the Red Dress, “a sexy, passionate and powerful symbol,” noting that “being healthy never goes out of style.” And then wham . . . out came the 20 high-profile women who volunteered to take the walk down the runway for the cause. In the not-a-bit-shy department: Lynda Carter of “Wonder Woman” fame looked swell in a Carolina Herrera slither with one-shoulder bow, laughed and mugged her way down the runway. Vivica A. Fox worked it too wearing a glitzy sequined number from Jenny Packham. The crowd went nuts for charmer Cicely Tyson, though her dress by Michael B. — with sleeves on steroids –was an “Oy Vey” moment. Long Island’s own Susan Lucci was all-out glam in a goddess chiffon and sequin number by Gustavo Cadile. Newly slim Valerie Bertinelli won cheers in her Christian Siriano strapless job; Kristi Yamaguchi in fave Vera Wang and “Dancing With The Stars,” co-host Samantha Harris in jersey David Meister both got high scores for their animated runway glide. Hilary Duff was demure in Donna Karan’s languid body conscious gown. More restrained but still fab: an elegant Jennie Garth in Badgley Mischka, body beautiful Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin, in sexy, short Max Azria and finale model Katie Couric, wearing a rhinestone strapped Carmen Marc Valvo, her signature wide smile and an aura that read, “What am I doing here? Get me Sarah or Sully.” Interested in frocks worn by one of these gals? A selection of these will be available at auction beginning today through Feb. 27 at clothesoffourback.org with proceeds benefiting the Foundation For National Institutes of Health. Want to see some of them in real life? Some will be on display at Rockefeller Center’s Top Of The Rock Observation Deck from Feb. 14-21.

Hello … where is the love for Amanda Bynes and Tori Spelling, for christsakes?! Tori looks AMAZING in her cute little number … she deffo looks much hotter and sexier than her 90210 cohort Jennie Garth (sorry Jennie). Amanda’s cute little red dress is also a stunner. It’s really great that these fashionistas are able to pair up with great designers (like Christian Siriano) for a fun event like this … that it’s all for charity only makes the event even more special. Click HERE to visit the auction website and place YOUR bids for your fave red dress. Which one of the bunch do YOU like best?

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Last night, a scrubby looking Joaquin Phoenix (who tried to clean up his image by wearing a suit) embarrassed himself on The Late Show with David Letterman in an attempt to carry on with his new whateverthehellhe’stryingtopull mockumentary art project thing as he promoted his new film Two Lovers. Phoenix was also on hand at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema in NYC last night — along with co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, Broadway star Cheynne Jackson and others — for the film’s premiere. Monkey suit or no suit, he seriously looked like he stank:

I’m pretty sure that Joaquin’s ridiculously tiresome behavior is being paraded around town to try and inspire people to take notice and mebbe check out this film. For me, the opposite is true. I am so unimpressed by this bullshizz he’s trying to pull … his interview with David Letterman last night only made him look like a complete asshole. Sooo not impressed. I know that I will take a pass on seeing this film … despite all the pretty people who came out in support of it last night. And for the record, the woman in the third photo is NOT Hilary Swank … she’s just a creepy twin named Vinessa Shaw. But anyways, back on topic, I’m not sure if Joaquin’s antics are really resonating with anyone else but I’m not buying it. Andy Kaufman did it so much better … Joaquin, you are no Andy Kaufman.

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

Here are a few very cute, very sweet photos of lovebirds Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie. The popstar/actress and meaty hockey player made their way down to enjoy the tropically warm Bahaman islands this weekend and were spied doing a whole lotta canoodling and cooing with one another … can’t you feel the lurve?

You will note in the third pic, Hilary plants a tender kiss on Mike’s hunky chest as they waited for their car to be brought around by the valet. Altogether now, AWWWWWWWWWWWW! They do make a very sweet couple together … it’s so nice to see that they’ve managed to keep things together, without any hint of incident, over the past couple of years. I had my doubts that Hila-rie would stay together for the long haul … but here they are, continuing to long haul ;) It’s not totally clear how long these two will be on vacay together but I hope they’re able to enjoy themselves down there for a while longer. They look happy and so in lurve. Do it up, Hila-rie! Enjoy!!

[Photo credit: Splash News]

The very growed-up Hilary Duff is featured on the cover and in the pages of the new issue of Maxim magazine. Here is what her sexy coverphoto looks like:

Altho this isn’t the first time that Hil D. has appeared in the pages of Maxim magazine, I still have a bit of trouble seeing Lizzie Maguire as a sex object. That being said, Hilary does tend to appear in the more classy photoshoots that Maxim publishes. After the jump, check out a few more pics from this new Maxim spread …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »