July 7th, 2007 by dd
The three-year marriage of Salman Rushdie and Padma Lakshmi has ended, their publicists have announced. “Salman Rushdie has agreed to divorce his wife, Padma Lakshmi, because of her desire to end their marriage,” his representative, Jin Auh, said in a statement. Rushdie’s recent British knighthood led to worldwide protests from Muslims angered by his 1989 novel, “The Satanic Verses.” Iran’s late spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a 1989 fatwa, or religious edict, ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie because “The Satanic Verses” allegedly insulted Islam. The threat forced Rushdie to live in hiding for a decade. Lakshmi is the host of “Top Chef” on Bravo and the author of the cookbook “Easy Exotic.” [IHT]
Yeah, like no one saw that divorce coming…. NOT!
Posted in Celebrity, Padma Lakshmi | 
1 Comment »
July 6th, 2007 by dd
The claws of time are reaching out and nipping at my ankles. It’s been almost a week since DaDump went to the 3rd Anniversary party for CLOT Inc. and I’m finally getting around to reporting on one of the better parties Hong Kong has seen in awhile. And by better, I mean I barely remember the majority of it from my inebriated state so I’m assuming it was good based of the scratch marks on my back and the incriminating pics on my Crackberry. But I digress…
Last Friday, CLOT threw a blowout party in a converted warehouse in Aberdeen. CLOT is the multi-dimensional company formed by HK actor and singer Edison Chen with several of his close friends. I could tell you about the familiar looking celebrity faces (DaDump only recognized Edison and his GF), the hordes of models, and the free flowing champagne open bar but it would be a feeble attempt at best.
For a more sobering account, you can check out my buddy and HK Inside Man’s rendition of the evening’s festivities at HK Hustle.
As for tonight, DaDump is off to see the Ghetto Superstar, Pras from the Fugees at another ‘pat me on the back’ party. Hopefully my alcoholic tendencies don’t prevent me from recounting what a great time I’ll be having tonight…
Posted in Hong Kong, Celebrity, Edison Chen, Vincy Yeung | No Comments »
July 6th, 2007 by dd
Steinbeck, Hemingway, Ayn Rand, JD Salinger, and now…. Bai Ling!
Deciding that she’s conquered the world of acting and realizing that attending every red carpet premiere and photo opportunity in the world will not help resolve the Middle East conflict, Bai Ling has decided to re-focus her efforts and work on a book titled, “My Life as a Crazy Movie Star.”
The publisher, HarperCollins, must have thought she had an extensive library of Chinese language films or something. Hello - Movie star!? Don’t you have to be in a lot of movies to be considered a movie celebrity? An episode on “Lost” and “Entourage” and a small role in “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” don’t count.
In any event, Ling says the book will focus on “how I see the world.” Should be fascinating. Book your copy now on Amazon… or not.
Posted in China, Film, Celebrity, Bai Ling | 4 Comments »
July 5th, 2007 by dd
Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo returned to L.A. from Mexico the other night after their latest scandal; this one involving unauthorized pictures of them prancing around nekkid and reportedly doing the ‘nasty’ in a hot tub. They’ve hired a high powered lawyer to prevent media outlets from releasing the photos. Good luck with that, buddy.
Aside from the superficial and fleeting interest in any sex scandal, let alone one with people we sorta, kinda recognize, this really isn’t of huge interest. Think of it this way, can you actually name a Nick Lachey song? Aside from MTV’s TRL and her recent short stint at Entertainment Tonight before getting the boot, can anyone tell me what Vanessa has done lately aside from showing up in the tabloids?
DaDump would concoct a sex scandal too if my precious Hollywood career was in da dumps!
Posted in Asian American, Music, TV, Philippines, Celebrity, Vanessa Minnillo | 1 Comment »
July 5th, 2007 by dd
Zhang Ziyi is seen here with her arm candy boyfriend at the Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2007-08 Haute Couture collection show in Paris. The prestigious fashion house of Christian Dior is celebrating its 60th birthday this week and John Galliano in his 10th year as Dior’s designer.
They’re such a fairytale couple.
Posted in China, Film, Fashion, Celebrity, Zhang Ziyi | No Comments »
June 28th, 2007 by dd
Bai Ling: ‘I won’t stop stripping’
Chinese movie star Bai Ling has hit out at critics’ love of her naked form - insisting they are the ones with dirty minds.
The actress, who is frequently photographed in revealing outfits and has posed naked for Playboy, loves her body and being naked, and refuses to stop stripping.
The 36-year-old says, “I believe the human body is basically a gift. It needs to be cherished, respected and celebrated. I love being naked. I think it’s the human mind that is dirty not the body.” [ActressArchives]
Posted in China, Film, Celebrity, Bai Ling | 2 Comments »
June 27th, 2007 by dd
Christina Aguilera is in China as part of her Asian Tour. In these pics, she’s holding a news conference promoting her Shanghai concert which has just finished (it’s now Tues nite in S’hai).
Beautiful voice, progressive outlook, curvaceous body but WTF is up with those eyebrows! DaDump is a huge fan of hers but is kinda freaked out with her makeup. Therefore I choose to focus on other aspects of her body…
Posted in China, Music, Celebrity | No Comments »
June 26th, 2007 by dd
As first reported on Sunday, Cameron Diaz caught some flack for sporting a bag with a political slogan while sightseeing Machu Picchu in Peru’s Andes on Friday. The fashion statement turned out to be a fashion faux pas, especially in Peru, where the translated Chinese slogan read “Serve the People” evoking memories of Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong and the memories associated with him are bloody.
In a statement emailed to the Associated Press, Cameron said:
“I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have inadvertently offended. The bag was a purchase I made as a tourist in China and I did not realize the potentially hurtful nature of the slogan printed on it.”
The ironic part of this story is the actress is in Peru to participate in a Canadian television show “4 REAL” that celebrates Peru’s culture. The show focuses on young community leaders around the world.
Cameron went on to state how she never meant to hurt anyone with her taste in fashion. “I’m sorry for any people’s pain and suffering and it was certainly never my intention to reopen what I now know is a painful wound in this country’s history and wish for their continued healing.”
Posted in Celebrity | No Comments »
June 26th, 2007 by dd
Dirrty Girl, Christina Aguilera, shook the Seoul Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium on Saturday in the South Korean capital.
The four-time Grammy-Award winner was supported by local K-pop singer Ivy.
Prior to the concert was a controversy surrounding a last-minute ticket clearance sale. Organizers of the performance initially sold A-class seats at US$95. However, beginning on June 13, an Internet shopping site began to sell pairs of A-class seats at 40-percent discounted price for both.
It is almost unprecedented in Korea to sell concert tickets of foreign popular stars at such sharply discounted prices. As a consequence, performance-goers who purchased tickets earlier became angry; some canceling their ticket purchases and buying tickets again at the discounted prices after getting a refund.
A lack of interest in the concert is not being named as the culprit; rather, it appears inflated ticket prices are to blame.
Posted in Korea, Music, Celebrity | 2 Comments »
