Joanne Trattoria

Lady Gaga's parents are opening a restaurant in New York City today, and of course, the Lady wouldn't let the occasion slip by without some promotion. She tweeted today:

I'm so proud of my parents! Tonight their restaurant opens in NY. Joanne Trattoria. My dad built with his two hands, mommy decorated.

Hope they will do alright!

We are here

Just a minute ago, Madonna posted this picture of the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where the Super Bowl 2012 will take place this Sunday, saying:

It's official, we are here.

Can't wait for her halftime performance!

The power of love

Last Friday, the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team qualified for the Summer Olympic Games which will be held in London from July 27 to August 12, 2012. The players celebrated their win by singing Celine Dion’s song, "The Power of Love". The team sings it after each win. Congratulations to the team!

Jaws still lives

For those of you who are (like me) sad the Jaws ride at Universal Studios Orlando has closed forever a month ago, you might be happy to know you can still ride it at Universal Studios Japan. The video above shows the ride as it happens near Tokyo, and although it's, as far as the ride itself goes, completely the same as the ride in Orlando, the Japanese just doesn't really fit in a ride supposed to take place in the New York area of the United States. Also, in some places, you can see the tracks hiding beneath the surface. I'm sure that's not supposed to be visible to the audience.

Still, it's a great ride! And most of all, it just made me want to watch the original Jaws movie again!

Follow me on Twitter!

In case you're not already doing so, I suggest, if you like reading Totally Theo, you should follow me on Twitter as well! It's mostly in Dutch, so chances are most of you won't really understand what I'm tweeting (not that I'm tweeting about important topics in the first place), but still, a couple of followers more wouldn't hurt me, so click here and start following me!

All the lovers - live in Antwerp

Filmed live during the best night of my life, enjoy Kylie Minogue singing the final encore of her fabulous Aphrodite Les Folies show, All The Lovers, live at Sportpaleis Antwerpen.

New album

Alanis Morissette recently gave a small interview during which she confirmed that she is finishing her eight studio album, and she had said she has recorded thirty-one songs. She said that the album will be due out in 2012 in Summer or Spring!

I can't wait for new music by Alanis! It has been way too long!

Mad tea party

A couple of years ago, back in 2008, after seeing two shows of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet World Tour at the Stade De France in Paris, a couple of friends and I decided to visit Disneyland Paris the day after. We had a great time, and just the other week one of my friends send me this great picture of myself in a teacup, riding the Mad Tea Party.

Charity concert

On Sunday, February 12, 2012, partners Three Six Zero Group and Roc Nation will stage an unprecedented charity concert featuring international superstars deadmau5, Rihanna, Calvin Harris and Sebastian Ingrosso of Swedish House Mafia at the House Of Blues in Los Angeles. All proceeds from this once-in-a-lifetime concert will benefit the Children’s Orthopaedic Center and The Mark Taper–Johnny Mercer Artists Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The all-star line up will also include Chris Lake and Michael Woods. All artists are donating their time for this wonderful cause.

Tickets, priced at $1,000 go on sale today, Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 5:00pm (PST). They may be purchased on-line LiveNation.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-653-8000 or at the House Of Blues box office located at 8430 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children’s hospital in California and among the best in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious US News & World Report Honor Roll. Children’s Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. The hospital is also one of America's premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation since 1932 with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

Great news from the USA

The US federal government will publish regulations next month requiring all religious groups involved in government-assisted housing facilities to accept gay couples and transgender individuals - a change effected in part by including gay couples in the rule’s definition of the word family.

The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a new rule on Thursday that defines family as at least two people living together “regardless of marital status, or actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,” in addition to the surviving partners of AIDS victims who had previously been housed under HUD’s AIDS housing program.

“HUD’s proposed rule clarifies that families, otherwise eligible for HUD programs, may not be excluded because one or more members of the family may be an LGBT individual, have an LGBT relationship, or be perceived to be such an individual or in such relationship,” stated federal officials in a release accompanying the proposed rule last year.

The rule also specified that borrowers cannot be denied FHA-insured mortgage financing based on their “sexual orientation or gender identity,” and that owners and operators of HUD-assisted housing are disallowed from inquiring about such characteristics.

The ACLU on Saturday celebrated the fact that the new rules will require Christian groups involved in HUD housing to comply with the mores against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Catholic and Christian churches are often involved in building the low-income housing as a ministry, or in distributing section 8 vouchers.

“Of critical importance, the rule will require all organizations that operate HUD-assisted or HUD-insured housing facilities to serve LGBT Americans looking for shelter and housing—including religious organizations,” wrote the ACLU’s Ian Thompson.  “As a coalition of more than 30 civil rights organizations (including the ACLU) wrote to HUD last year, once a religious organization chooses to provide housing services or programs with the aid of federal funds and benefits from HUD, it cannot shield itself from traditional safeguards that protect civil rights in the provision of those services.”

Great news!

NRJ Awards

A huge congratulations to Mika who won an award for International Male Artist of the Year at the NRJ awards this past weekend (28th January).

Mika performed ‘Elle Me Dit’ at the ceremony at Palais Des Festivals on the French Riviera in Cannes, click here to watch it.

And if you want to watch him accept his award, click here.

Those aren’t the only two videos from the awards though! Watch Mika being interviewed about his win by clicking here.

Outstanding contribution

Last week, the stars got together at London's O2 Arena for the 2012 National Television Awards. Gary Barlow was recognised on the night, taking home the Outstanding Contribution gong.

Presented with the award by Chris Moyles, Gary was honoured for all of his fantastic music and charity work over the last year.

Take a look at the complete list of winners by clicking here.

Super Bowl - setlist

The setlist for Madonna's Super Bowl halftime show, which will occur this Sunday, has been revealed. Madonna will sing:

Give Me All Your Luvin'
Ray Of Light
Vogue
Holiday

Guest appearances by Nicki Minaj and LMFAO. Check the picture above for a sneak peek at how the stage will look.

Classic car

Tori Amos was Brooke Baldwin’s guest for the #musicmonday feature of today’s CNN Newsroom. Taken from an interview done last December during the Night of Hunters tour, the spot features Tori discussing the energy she derives from performing live and accepting her age, characterizing herself as a “classic car”.

Check out the interview above!

The voices speak

Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton take the cover of Rolling Stone‘s latest issue. Here’s what the coaches from The Voice had to share:

Christina, on being the only female coach: “You have to be a pretty strong girl to stay up in the mix with the guys. It’s a lot. It’s a crazy locker-room kind of situation.”

Adam, on Cee Lo’s style: “He can wear white socks with sandals and still have it be fucking cool. If I did that, Blake would make fun of me.”

Katy Perry goes 3D

Katy Perry may be following in the footsteps of Justin Bieber and scoring a documentary-style 3D film, according to THR.

“Dealmaking is still in the early stages, and no director is officially on board yet. But both sides are eager to make the details work, and insiders say it’s just a matter of working out the logistics,” a source tells the magazine.

Katy‘s team is in talks with Paramount, the same studio which released Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, which holds the domestic box office record for a concert film with $73 million.

Time of grief

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter has opened up about the death of his younger sister, Leslie.
“Nick Carter is thankful to the many people and the fans who have shared their wishes and prayers during this tragic time. We want to let the fans know the tour will go on as promised,” a rep for the 32-year-old musician told JustJared.com. “Performing is cathartic to me and I am dedicating the rest of my tour to my sister since she loved to watch me perform,” Nick said. “We ask the press to respect Nick’s privacy during his time of grief,” the statement concluded.

Leslie passed away at the age of 25.

10x Current singles

A new month has started, which makes it the right moment for my monthly top ten list of current singles. Here we go:

1) Talk That Talk - Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
2) Ode To The Bouncer - Studio Killers
3) Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye
4) Skinny Love - Birdy
5) Hangover - Taio Cruz feat. Flo Rida
6) Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO
7) Video Games - Lana Del Rey
8) Turning Tables - Adele
9) Titanium - David Guetta feat. Sia
10) Love On Top - Beyonce

What are yours?

Physical chemistry

Jennifer Lopez beams as she leaves a restaurant with her toyboy Casper Smart. Actress J-Lo, 42, was initially cagey about her relationship with dancer Casper – who is 18 years her junior – but they've been regularly stepping out as an item in recent weeks.

Casper, of Anaheim, California, has been portrayed as a ladies' man who has dated a string of beautiful women and dances topless in front of screaming female fans at a Hollywood club.

One source said: "J-Lo obviously found his charms hard to resist. With an 18-year age difference, I doubt they have much in common. But who needs conversation when you have that physical chemistry."

H&M collection

David Beckham is due to unveil his hotly-anticipated bodywear collection for H&M today. The affordable range of men's undies will go on sale to the public tomorrow.

And if the clothes weren't enough to get people through the door, David has sexed up the store with topless golden statues of himself. What do you think, will they sell?

New neighbours

Lady Gaga has bought a house in the posh Fitzrovia area of the West End in London. If she needs to borrow some milk for her china teacup, neighbours include Guy Ritchie.

A source said: "The property is in a luxurious development which is still being built. It's some place. She had been staying in The Lanesborough hotel every time she visited London but because she is over so much she has decided to go for it and invest."

Skyfall

Check out the very first official publicity still from the upcoming 23d James Bond movie Skyfall. The movie, which was shot on a budget a lot smaller than previous 007 films, will premiere in October.

Hopefully this will be the last ever Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. As I've said about the first two movies he did, Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace, he looks more like the villain than the hero.

Nightlife exchange

The second chapter of the ongoing Madonna and Smirnoff partnership begins this Sunday, February 5 with the appearance of Lil Buck, the winner of the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project Dance Competition, as he joins The Material Girl's dance ensemble at the Bridgestone Super Bowl Halftime Show, the company announced today.

For Smirnoff and its parent company Diageo this is the first of several ongoing high profile activities between the world's No. 1 artist and the world's No. 1 vodka.

The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project - launched in 2010 --searched for the world's best new dancer among tens of thousands of entries through a global dance competition. The final dance-off competition took place at the historic Roseland Ballroom in New York City where Madonna and her choreographers selected Memphis native Lil Buck as the winner from 10 global finalists. Lil Buck's prize included an opportunity to join Madonna's dance crew.

"Joining Madonna's dance crew has been a dream come true. I have already learnt so much and cannot thank Smirnoff enough for this life-changing opportunity," commented Lil Buck.

Motherhood

Tonight on Dutch television: Motherhood, starring Uma Thurman, Minnie Driver and Anthony Edwards.

Oh, be quiet

Jennifer Lopez appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman, and talked a bit about her ex husband Marc Anthony:

“You know, it’s fun because we know each other so well, but it has its moments. The same things that…didn’t really work sometimes come up. You’re talking and you don’t agree on something and you’re like ‘oh, be quiet!’…you’ll see it on the show a little bit!”

Tonight show

Madonna appeared on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno held at the NBC Studios on Monday in Burbank, California.

Click here to watch a clip from the interview.

In love to the fullest

Selena Gomez is on the cover of the March 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan. Inside the magazine, the Disney singer talks about her 'relationship' with Justin Bieber:

“I’m just like every 19-year-old girl. If you’re in love, you’re in love to the fullest, and you just want to go to the movies, hang out, and be as normal as possible. I’m fortunate that I’ve found someone who has that philosophy.”

Thank you, Starbucks

Starbucks has officially backed gay marriage! In a January 24 letter to U.S. partners, Kalen Holmes, Starbucks executive vice president, expresses support for the gay marriage legislation in Washington State. The “important legislation,” says Holmes “is core to who we are and what we value as a company.”

The letter, which boasts of the company’s LGBT activism begins, “Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples.” The letter concludes: “We look forward to seeing this legislation enacted into law.”

Thank you, Starbucks!

Awards comeback

Adele has confirmed she will make her live comeback at the Grammys next month! Adele's voice has not been heard on stage since she underwent surgery to cure a condition that threatened her vocal cords last November, but after a successful recovery period, the star has revealed she "can't wait" to perform at the awards ceremony. She is also due to perform at the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London a week later.
Adele told fans on Twitter: "Ima be, Ima be singing at the Grammys. It's been so long I started to forget I was a singer! I can't wait, speak soon xx."

Party all night

Rihanna, as usual, looked like a total slut while visiting Greystone Manor nightclub in Los Angeles. It looks like since the LOUD Tour is over with (and come to think about it, during the tour as well), all Rihanna ever does is go out partying. Doesn't she have a single (Talk That Talk) to promote?

On the other hand, Rihanna records seem to be selling themselves, so she probably doesn't even need to go through the effort.

Art collections

Robbie Williams Mark Owen are pumping some of their profits from the Progress Live 2011 Tour into art.

Mark's just splashed out £20k on a painting by an edgy graffiti artist to mark his 40th birthday. And Rob is paying a sculptor to make a life-size statue of wife Ayda Field for his back yard in LA.

A source said: "Mark bought a painting by a London street artist called Bambi. It's of an 80-year-old woman called Mrs Welsh who is a character in a trendy part of London. Mark is really into urban art and has some other pieces from top UK talent. He's become a serious collector."

Better than today - live in Antwerp

Check out this cool video of Kylie Minogue performing Better Than Today, live during her amazing Aphrodite Les Folies Tour at Sportpaleis Antwerpen. I was in the audience during this show (as well as two days earlier at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam) and I can truly say it was the best show I've ever seen in my life.

MDNA - cover

Madonna has revealed the cover for her upcoming new album MDNA today, Check it out above.

Ice princess

Tonight on Dutch television: Ice Princess, starring Michelle Trachtenberg, Kim Cattrall and Joan Cusack.

Dance classes

Mister hottie Jason Beitel posted a couple of new hot pictures of himself teaching dance classes on his Facebook account. Enjoy!

New dates

George Michael has told fans that he will most likely reschedule his cancelled 2011 Symphonica Tour dates for September of this year.

George had to pull a run of UK shows after succumbing to a life-threatening bout of pneumonia at the end of last year. He has now taken to Twitter to explain that the tour will now probably take place this autumn and that the shows may now include new songs.

When asked about when the gigs would be taking place, he wrote: "realistically I can't see my vocal cords being being ready till the summer, but then I have to think about people losing out if they are on their summer hols. So September seems the most likely. Sorry about that everyone. Rest assured I will use the time wisely. As in... working on improving the show, mixing the live tracks, finishing brand new tracks!"

New and improved

From the new and improved Kylie.com:

Kylie is celebrating 25 years in music this year and we thought we’d take the opportunity to showcase her magnificent career with a brand new and sparkly kylie.com.

We’ve added a new section called Kylie Fashion which will showcase some of Kylie’s greatest costumes and fashion from over the years for you to enjoy.

If you fancy a trip down memory lane, we have a fabulous timeline for you to scroll through packed full of videos, photos and releases.

We hope you love it!

Xx Team Kylie

Oh yes, we do love it!

Greatest women in music

According to a press release from VH1, Tori Amos will be one of several industry experts, pop culture critics and music artists offering commentary during VH1’s “100 Greatest Women in Music,” a 5-night special special premiering during the week of February 13th. The series will numerate the top hundred women artists who have made their a mark on the music industry over the past twenty years.

Check it out starting Monday, February 13th at 10:00 PM ET/9:00 PM CT. The series concludes on Friday, February 17th.

Commitment to diversity

A couple of weeks ago hate group the American Family Association (AFA) reported that The Home Depot appeared to be pulling back its support to gay rights activists. Fortunately, and as usual, they spoke too soon. Immediately after the AFA released their findings, Home Depot said it will continue to support gay rights activities. Home Depot issued this email statement to the AFA:

"We have never changed our commitment to diversity and inclusion of all people, and we have no intention of doing so. Nor have we changed our apron policy or the guidelines for our charitable giving."

Thank you, Home Depot! Of course, this won't stop the AFA from claiming victory, just as they did after the failed boycotts of The Walt Disney Company, Ford, and McDonalds, to name just a few. Still, it's great to hear their influence means absolutely nothing!

Tanking tour

As I've noticed before, the NKOTBSB Tour, which is the co-headlining tour starring the Backstreet Boys and the New Kids On The Block, isn't selling so well in the Netherlands. Their show at Ahoy Rotterdam, on May 1st, has been on sale for quite a couple of months now, and still tickets are available in every single category. In fact, if you head over to Eventim, the official ticketseller for this show, you will notice they have displayed a message stating that at the request of the promoter, the seating chart has actually been turned off.

This probably means the show is selling so badly they don't want us to see just exactly how many tickets are still left. I wouldn't be surprised if this show were to be scaled down to the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, or cancelled altogether.

It's a far cry from Take That's Progress Live 2011 Tour, which sold out the entire Amsterdam ArenA.

Grisham vs. King

Time for a new poll! This week, I'll let you choose between my two favorite writers, John Grisham and Stephen king. personally I like John Grisham best, but now it's up to you to decide!

Voting's on!

Teaser video

Madonna has posted a short teaser video to promote her upcoming single Give Me All Your Luvin', taken from her next album MDNA. The full video will premiere on American Idol on Thursday, with a worldwide release on YouTube the next day, Friday February 3.

Mardi Gras

It was Kylie Minogue’s third and final surprise for this month that got the Australians excited! Kylie has confirmed that she will be heading home to join with Sydney’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex community at the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will honour Kylie during the Parade with a spectacular K25 float that pays homage to the artist’s outstanding contribution to the music industry and support of the LGBTQI community. SGLMG’s CEO Michael Rolik says Minogue’s RSVP to Sydney Mardi Gras 14 years after her last performance at the Mardi Gras party in 1998 will go down as a great moment in the organisation’s history.

NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and The Arts, George Souris said “The presence of Kylie Minogue is sure to make this the biggest and best Sydney Mardi Gras ever,” he said.

And Kylie is pretty excited herself saying ‘“I simply cannot wait, and it’s going to be a beautiful way to celebrate 25 years of this relationship.”

The paperboy

Zac Efron was spotted shooting some reshoots on the set of his upcoming new movie The Paperboy in Los Angeles. The plaid shirt must be part of Zac‘s costume for the film, because he was spotted the day before carrying the plaid button-down on set, as well as wearing the same beanie.

The film is set to be released sometime this year.

Clean water

Adam Lambert turned 30 yesterday on January 29

“Today is my birthday, and for my 30th I’d like you all to help me change the world: http://www.charitywater.org/adamlambert/” Adam tweeted, along with a link to a donation page for a charity called charity:water.

“Together, I bet we can raise over $1 million and bring thousands more people clean water.” Adam wrote. Donate to this wonderful cause today and help bring clean water to those who need it!

I forgive you

Kelly Clarkson has recently announced that “I Forgive You” will be her next single! The 29-year-old singer confirmed the choice during her Stronger Tour stop at Cambria County War Memorial Arena on Saturday in Johnstown, Penn.

Earlier in the day, Kelly wrote on her Twitter “Bought some awesome vinyl records, had an amazing popsicle, and enjoying the fact that it’s warmer here in North Carolina!”

Friends for years

Jennifer Lopez chatted with Matt Lauer about her new show Q’Viva! The Chosen on Today. Jennifer also chatted about working with her ex, Marc Anthony, on the show"

“Marc and I were friends before we got married. We were friends for years. And we always loved each other, and we always worked together…. Obviously, we have children together so it’s not like he’s not going to be in my life, he’s always going to be in my life,” Jennifer said.

Three attacks

Australia has seen its third shark attack in weeks, its second in two days. David Pickering, injured off the northwest coast, said he beat off a tiger shark with his left arm Thursday when it had grabbed his right one.

Three attacks in one country in one week... scary!

Best-selling songs

And speaking of Lady Gaga, her smash hit "Born This Way" is among the top five best-selling songs of 2011 with 8.2 million copies, according to the latest IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) report. Check out the full list below:

Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are (12.5 million)
Bruno Mars - Grenade (10.2 million)
LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem (9.7 million)
Jennifer Lopez - On the Floor (8.4 million)
Adele - Rolling in the Deep (8.2 million)
Lady Gaga - Born This Way (8.2 million)
Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer - Give me Everything (8.2 million)
Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit) (7.3 million)
Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger (7.0 million)
Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song (6.5 million)

Gold disk awards

Lady Gaga won four prizes at this year's Japanese Gold Disk Awards, including Best Western Artist, Album and Song. Gaga´s Born This Way was also awarded for reaching triple platinum certification and becoming the top-selling western album of the year.

Congratulations, and well deserved!