OPRAH! IS NOW ON TWITTER!

// April 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // Hott Notes

but why is this is an announcement? LOL!

The Queen of daytime television is jumping on the Twit-wagon, which means Twitter is totally like a mainstream thing now

Damn! I wish I could get this big one day!

OPRAH WINFREY became the latest celebrity to jump on the Twitter wagon today with a page that has reached (at the time of this writing) 49,915 followers before she’s even written her first tweet.

Oprah plans to make her first tweet on her show Friday, thus officially rendering Twitter a mainstream phenomenon. Twitter has grown by leaps and bounds lately, ranking as the fastest growing Web site in 2008 by Nielson, with a popularity driven by a mix of word-of-mouth and celebrity usage. While the company has been unavoidable in the news lately, Oprah’s account is the shove over the top that situates the Web site squarely in the mainstream zeitgeist.

Twitter co-founders Evan Williams and Biz Stone are both excited about the development. Evan (@ev) writes “Yes, the ‘big day’ tomorrow is due to @Oprah. Catch @aplusk [Ashton Kutcher] on the show (and follow him if you don’t already!) Oh: I’ll be there too! .”

But not everyone thinks turning Twitter into a massive celebrity-driven PR device is a good idea. Chalk it up to naysaying if you like, but PC Magazine’s Lance Ulanoff has a good argument for why this could be the beginning of the end for Twitter. Ulanoff says Twitter is so valuable because it provides a perfect format for the quick exchange of ideas, but it’s being taken over by celebs and businesses who do nothing by promote themselves. In response to Williams’ enthusiasm, Ulanoff writes:

“Doesn’t he know what Oprah fan interest will do to Twitter? First, the service will crash, over and over again. The Fail Whale will rule tomorrow. Then it will recover and get bigger than ever, but with more Twitter users like Ashton and Oprah, it will ultimately be hollow on the inside, just like a bubble. And we know what happens to them.”

OPRAH: “I MADE SEVERAL MISTAKES!”

// April 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Hott News

numerous wrongs don’t make it right!

“In spite of everything that’s happened, what keeps me”

Oprah! Oprah! Oprah! Child! When will you ever learn?

Johanesburg -–OPRAH WINFREY acknowledged in a newspaper interview published Saturday that she has made several mistakes at her elite South African school, but said she remains proud of its success.

The recent expulsion of four girls and suspension of three others was the second scandal to hit the Leadership Academy for Girls, which opened in 2007 to groom bright children from deprived backgrounds for a brilliant career. A dorm matron is currently on trial accused of abuse and sexual assault.

“I have made several mistakes and one of them was being overprotective of the girls, which has led to an impression that the school is isolating them from society,” Winfrey was quoted as saying in the Weekend Argus.

She said she had also underestimated the extent of homesickness among girls at the boarding school.

Last month, four students were expelled and three others suspended. South African media at the time said they were accused of trying to force students into relationships and to engage in sexual contact.

Winfrey herself hasn’t given details of the misconduct. But she said in the newspaper interview that it was “insulting” that the family of one of the expelled girls had complained to the press even though she had been warned before about her behavior.

“Those girls in their own testimony during the (disciplinary) hearing said they knew they were breaking the rules and that they deliberately broke the rules,” the talk show queen was quoted as saying.

The institution just outside Johannesburg opened with a blaze of publicity in January 2007 with about 150 girls in 7th and 8th grades. The Academy is expected to grow by one grade each year until it reaches full capacity in 2011, with approximately 450 girls in grades 7 through 12.

Winfrey poured $40 million into the 28-building campus, which is spread across 22 lush acres. It has computer and science labs, a library, theater and wellness center, all protected by strict privacy. Each girl lives in a two-bedroom suite — a far cry from their humble surroundings at home.

It’s the fulfillment of a promise Winfrey made to former South African President Nelson Mandela and aims to give poor girls a quality education and prepare them for leadership positions in a country where state schools are struggling to overcome the legacy of white-minority rule.

“The majority of girls are thriving, really fulfilling the dream and vision I had,” Winfrey told the newspaper. “They really have exceeded any expectations I had for them.”

“In spite of everything that’s happened, what keeps me inspired and hopeful is the heart of every girl, because they are wonderful, they are magnificent.”

NEW OPRAH SEX SCANDAL!

// March 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // Hott News

but is anyone willing to step forward?

Halliday stated. “We regard the incident as confidential”

It really hurts to her news like this!

OPRAH WINFREY’s school for girls rocked by 2nd sex abuse scandal in less than two years!

According to the Afrikaans on Sunday newspaper, seven students from the South Africa school were suspended for sexually harassing one of their class mates! A 15 year old was accused by school officials of preying on another girl and then forcing others to lie about it to the school staff.

Other girls were caught engaging in rampant acts of overt lesbianism and coercing other girls to join them.

Oprah’s PR flack, Lisa Halliday, confirmed the girls were suspended from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School for Girls.

“It is because they contravened the school’s code of conduct,” Halliday stated. “We regard the incident as confidential.”

The first incident of sexual abuse occurred when 15 girls reported they had been molested by the headmistress. The scandal devastated Winfrey as she confided previously she had been raped and molested by a cousin, uncle and family friend as a child.

Winfrey promptly fired the offender and announced she would give each of her students a cell phone with her number on speed dial — just in case.

It is unknown at this juncture whether any of the students reported these latest outrages to Oprah herself.

OPRAH WARNS RIHANNA: “HE WILL HIT YOU AGAIN!”

// March 8th, 2009 // No Comments » // Hott News

well put and well said

it’s a mere “teachable moment,” for young people.

“Love doesn’t hurt”

Talk show diva OPRAH warned RIHANNA on her show Friday that Chris Brown — who’s charged with two felonies for beating the singer last month – will do it again.

“Love doesn’t hurt,” Oprah said pointedly to the camera. “And if a man hits you once, he WILL hit you again.”

In her message to Rihanna — and to Brown-Oprah encouraged them both to take time to heal and to get counseling.

Preceding Oprah’s advice to the young couple that has reportedly reconciled since the horrific beating, Oprah’s best pal Gayle King read the laundry list of violent acts Brown perpetrated against Rihanna according to the police report, including hitting, biting, choking and threatening to kill her.

King called the incident “a teachable moment,” for young people. But Kelly Ripa’s husband, actor Mark Consuelos, thought better of using Rihanna, 21, and Brown, 19, as role models for kids.

“We can’t use celebrities or singers or actors to parent our kids. Or to give messages to our kids,” Consuelos said.

MICHELLE OBAMA HATES OPRAH

// February 28th, 2009 // 9 Comments » // Hott Gossip, Hott Look@Politics

rumor has it that

“She knew they weren’t having an affair, but it was as though Oprah wanted people to wonder”

Wow-sers! Why can’t we just all get along?

Sources over at “O” Magazine are claiming that First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA has had enough of talk show titan OPRAH WINFREY!

“Oprah marched into the White House with Gayle King in tow like she owned it,” an insider said when the chatty twosome arrived for an interview with Michelle.

“(Oprah) believes she played a major role in getting President Obama elected and expects to be treated like royalty when she calls on them.

“But Michelle had other ideas. She appreciates that Oprah endorsed her husband, but considers her role minor in getting him elected.”

Michelle, 44, is still annoyed by the way Oprah flirted with her husband Barack during the presidential campaign, says the insider.

“She knew they weren’t having an affair, but it was as though Oprah wanted people to wonder,” continued the insider. “Michelle wouldn’t mind if Oprah went back to doing her show and left the Obamas alone forever.”

The trouble began as soon as Oprah set foot in the White House to do an interview for O magazine. When she went to greet Michelle with a kiss on the cheek, Michelle stepped back and extended her hand, says the insider from “O”.

Then, when the interview began, Michelle focused her attention on 54-year-old Gayle.

“Oprah felt completely left out of the conversation. And it was obvious that was how Michelle intended for her to feel.”

“By the end of the interview, Oprah was seething!”

BLAGO WANTS OPRAH TO RUN FOR SENATE

// January 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Hott Look@Politics

and just how crazy is this

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich ditched his own impeachment trial to hit the talk show circuit this morning. And he says Oprah could “do good things for people.”

By John Charles Reedburg

It takes a bold man to upstage his own impeachment trial.

As the proceedings got underway today in Springfield, Ill., ROD BLAGOJEVICH ditched his own trial so he could work the talkshow circuit in New York. The Illinois governor accused of trying to sell off Barack Obama’s vacant senate seat went on The View and Good Morning America to tell them A: he’s innocent; B: Rahm Emanuel thinks so, too; and C: he considered appointing Oprah to the senate.

My thought was (here is) an African American woman who by herself probably has more influence than 100 senators. She was instrumental in the election of Barack Obama. She clearly could use her bully pulpit to do good things for people. The question was whether or not there was any chance at all that she’d be willing to do it…

How do you suggest something like that so it doesn’t look like it’s just a gimmick to get publicity at her expense. The answer is you don’t. If Blago had tried to put Oprah in the senate, everyone would have seen it as a bald-faced publicity stunt. It’s a publicity stunt to even mention it now.

Apparently, Blagojevich has given up on trying to win over the Illinois state legislature, so instead he’s trying to win over the American people. It looks like he’s hoping that makes a difference when he heads to real court where he’ll defend himself against federal corruption charges.

Blago complained that the impeachment was rigged because, unlike a real trial, hearsay is allowed, and he is not allowed to call witnesses to testify on his behalf.

Other politicians have worked at distancing themselves from the embattled governor, but Blagojevich seemed to be in name-dropping mode today, explaining that Rahm Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett could both attest to his innocence.

As he spoke to the gang on The View, the topic turned to his colorful speech.

After being warned by by Joy Behar to “watch the expletives because this is live,” Blago explained that hey, that’s how you talk when you grow up tough like him.
I was raised in a big city in a tough neighborhood, and when you’re a kid growing up in a neighborhood like that, you would never say words like that in front of your mother. But when you’re out there at the schoolyard, you’re playing basketball, or you’re out with the other guys, it’s just sort of the thing you do.

Unfortunately you try to get rid of some of those habits, you may have left the neighborhood, but part of the neighborhood never left you. What do you think? Is Blago for real? Is he being railroaded?

OPRAH GIVES $365K TO ATLANTA INNER-CITY SCHOOL

// January 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // Hott News

sweet lady, makes another sweet move

“We teach school all day and fund-raise at night,” said Clark, who finds private donors to pay most of the $14,000 annual tuition for each student. “To have an unsolicited gift come like that is incredible”

By John Charles Reedburg

What a remarkable woman?

A letter from OPRAH WINFREY last week seemed like the world’s best Christmas present — until teacher Ron Clark noticed an extra piece of paper flutter out of the envelope.

That’s when the Atlanta educator saw the $365,000 check for the innovative private school he opened in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods in 2007. It was, quite literally, an answer to a prayer.

“We teach school all day and fund-raise at night,” said Clark, who finds private donors to pay most of the $14,000 annual tuition for each student. “To have an unsolicited gift come like that is incredible.”

Clark surprised his students with the news of the donation Wednesday morning in a gathering at the south Atlanta school. The children, parents and teachers erupted in deafening cheers when he showed off the check.

Several cried at the news.

The donation, which likely will go to scholarships for students, would pay for 26 children to attend the school for one year.

“Everything they learn is enhanced because of the teachers’ dedication and creativity,” said a tearful Gloria Nesmith, whose son, Cameron, is a fifth-grader at the academy. “And Oprah noticed. I’m just overwhelmed.”

The donation, which likely will go to scholarships for students, would pay for 26 children to attend the school for one year.

In her letter, to Clark, Winfrey calls him a role model and applauds the “profound difference you’re making with your passion for teaching.”

Representatives for Winfrey did not immediately return calls for comment.

The check was issued by the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which gave $3.5 million to educational programs in 2006, according to the latest data available online.

Clark and his students became overnight stars during the presidential election when a video of the students performing a political rap they wrote grabbed the public’s attention on YouTube. The children ended up performing the rap, called “Vote However U Like,” on national TV shows including CNN and BET.

Teachers at the school frequently use rapping, dancing and drumming to help students learn.

Clark, who taught in one of New York City’s toughest schools and wrote the best-selling teaching book “The Essential 55,” opened the school last year with proceeds from his book and private donations.

Nearly all of its 80 students are from middle- and low-income households. Parents pay a small part of the tuition and the rest is paid by donors.

Clark has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” twice — once when he was named Disney American Teacher of the Year in 2000 and again when his book made the New York Times best-seller list.

WORST DRESSED CELEBES: WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT POWER 100 BREAKFAST

// December 7th, 2008 // No Comments » // Hott News

Oprah Winfrey arrives to the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast on December 5, 2008 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

By John Charles Reedburg

With all of the money they have. You think they could afford better.

Today the Hollywood Reporter released it’s list of the top 100 most powerful women in entertainment, and they held a breakfast this morning to celebrate. Given the nature of the event, there is a certain aesthetic here, right? You want to look professional, put together, maybe subtly sexy but ultimately: powerful. I think that idea went into a lot of clothing decisions that were made, but somehow didn’t execute very well.

Unsurprisingly, media mogul OPRAH WINFREY topped the charts at number one, and I wish I could say that her ensemble was as impressive as her achievements. But it was just…okay.

I’m all for finding dresses that flatter your curves, but this one is a disaster in sheep’s clothing. On the hanger, it probably looked like a magical dress that conjures appropriate ruching, minimizing the waist and wiping out all imperfections.

In real life, on the other hand, it screams “PEAR SHAPE!” and I truly believe that tapering in at the bottom is a mistake. That being said, I adore Oprah (if not her cowl neck), and I covet her shoes.

Sigourney Weaver arrives to the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast on December 5, 2008 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

SIGOURNEY WEAVER is just as sexy as she’s always been, but this getup disappoints me. What she has going on up north reminds me of an anti-shoulder pad which actually has the same effect as its nemesis: making any delicate shoulders look like those of a linebacker. Love the wide-leg trousers, and the waist belt is a nice touch, but that shirt has got to go.

Glenn Close arrives to the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast on December 5, 2008 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Boring! GLENN CLOSE took “successful and powerful” to mean “suck all the fun out of your outfit.”

Actress Nicole Sullivan attends the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel on December 5, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.

NICOLE’s SULLIVAN short-sleeved suit jacket confuses me. Blouse? Jacket? Glorified safari shirt? She really should have gone with a heel.

Enough criticism. Here were the HIGHLIGHTS in the fashion department:

Gayle King arrives to the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast on December 5, 2008 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Oprah’s right-hand gal GAYLE KING looked great in this satin skirt with a bold waistband and sophisticated open blouse. Thumbs up to Gayle on her classy and sassy oufit.

Actress Garcelle Beauvais attends the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel on December 5, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.

Unlike the rest of the crowd, GARCELLE BEAUVAIS truly shined in this mustard coat (love the neck bow) and sophisticated brown trousers. She looks sophisticated and put together without sacrificing her youth and style. The accent handbag pulls this look together perfectly.

BRAD PITT SAYS “KIDS ARE THE FUNNIEST PEOPLE”

// November 18th, 2008 // No Comments » // Hott News

By John Charles Reedburg

I agree.

On “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” BRAD PITT says his kids are “the funniest people I’ve ever met. And you know it really tells you — it’s a great mirror for yourself.”

CELEBRITIES REACT TO OBAMA VICTORY

// November 5th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Hott News

hollywood cries after happy ending

Oprah: “It feels like America did the right thing”

By John Charles Reedburg

I had an emotional reaction to this historic event. Why no one’s writing an article about me. I’m jealous.

Oprah Winfrey wept tears of joy, Leonardo DiCaprio said he was proud to be an American and several hip-hop music stars said SEN. BARACK OBAMA’s election as the first black U.S. president fulfilled the dreams of America’s youth.

Celebrities played a large, and sometimes controversial, role in Obama’s election campaign, organizing fund-raisers, performing at rallies and campaigning on his behalf.

Republican candidate John McCain used Obama’s popularity with actors and musicians during the campaign to mock the Illinois senator as little more than a celebrity himself.

But when Obama was declared president-elect on Tuesday, his A-list supporters spoke out again.

DiCaprio, in Rome for the Italian premiere of his movie “Body of Lies”, told reporters on Wednesday he had stayed up all night watching the election.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my country right now and proud of being an American … I feel overwhelmed and I feel a tremendous weight has been lifted from my shoulders,” the “Titanic” star said.

Talk-show host Winfrey, one of America’s most influential women, campaigned with Obama last year. On Tuesday night, millions of TV viewers saw her in tears among the tens of thousands gathered in Chicago for Obama’s victory speech.

“It feels like America did the right thing,” Winfrey told CNN. “It feels like there’s a shift in consciousness. It feels like something really big and bold has happened here, like nothing ever in our lifetimes did we expect this to happen.”

Hip-hop music and fashion mogul Russell Simmons said Obama’s election was “a clear reflection of hip-hop politics.”

“While many older Americans, who marched and struggled so hard so Senator Obama could run for president of the United States never dared to believe in his candidacy’s real potential, young people, particularly the hip-hop community, had faith and their imagination became our reality,” Simmons said in a statement.

R&B singer Usher told Access Hollywood, “Barack Obama doesn’t represent a color. He represents change.” Black music producer and singer Sean Diddy Combs said, “I felt like my vote was the vote that put him into office … And that may not be true but that’s how much power it felt like I had.”

People magazine, typically a place to read about Hollywood stars such as Katie Holmes and Britney Spears, put Obama on its front cover in a special edition marking his election.

Actor George Clooney said in a statement it was “time to begin unifying the country so we can take on the extraordinary challenges that this generation faces.”

And poet Maya Angelou, 80, author of the influential book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, said she could barely talk without weeping as she remembered all the African-Americans who had struggled for civil rights in the past.