Hair-raising new look: Kym Marsh backcombed her hair into a large quiff as she arrived at Manchester Gay Pride
The prospect of standing out in a crowd of fully made-up drag queens can be daunting for a soap star.
So in order to ensure she made an impression at Manchester Gay Pride today, Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh decided to showcase a hair-raising new look.
The 34-year-old star had backcombed her black mane into a huge quiff, teaming her new 'do with a pair of skintight leather trousers and a Wonder Woman T-shirt.
Rock chick: Kym looked trendy in her skintight leather trousers and Wonder Woman T-shirt
But, despite her unique new look, Kym was outshone by some of her fellow Corrie stars, who joined her on the float to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ITV soap.
While Beverly Callard, who shared a kiss with Kym for the cameras, went for an all-white option and a dress and matching feather boa, Brooke Vincent opted for a bright pink wig and multi-coloured dress.
Brooke's character Sophie Webster has been involved in a storyline for the past few months which has seen her fall for her best friend Sian Powers, played by Sacha Parkinson.
Puckering up: Kym and co-star Beverley Callard share a kiss on the float
Floating along: The pair were just two of the stars chosen to ride on the float celebrating the 50th anniversary of Coronation Street
Both Brooke and Sacha have been praised for their realistic portrayal of two teengers in love.
Jackie Crozier, the director of Manchester Pride, said: 'We're delighted they're teaming up with Manchester Pride in this, their 50th anniversary year.
'Through characters like Sean Tully, Hayley Cropper, Todd Grimshaw and, most recently, Sophie Webster, they have helped to raise awareness of the issues facing the LGBT community to millions of loyal viewers.'
Dressing up: Beverley (left) and co-star Brooke Vincent pulled out all the stops
The float also featured a dozen drag queens who were dressed as legendary character Hilda Ogden, who last appeared in Coronation Street in 1987.
As well as being involved in the Gay Pride parade, Kym is also involved in a new photography exhibition in the city entitled Welcome To My World.
Explaining her involvement, Kym said: 'I was made up to be picked as one of 20 famous faces with strong links to the gay community.
'The pictures were all about playing up to gay stereotypes and my picture portrays a very strong female image.
'I was asked to take part and, as I have a lot of gay and lesbian friends, I was delighted to get involved.'
Celebration: The castmembers rode on this colourful float through Manchester
Booked: Paris Hilton has been arrested in Las Vegas over possession of cocaine.
She's used to posing endlessly for photographers everywhere she goes.
And it looks as if Paris Hilton has even mugshot poses down to a fine art.
Judging by her newly-released mugshot from early Saturday morning's drug arrest, all the primping and preening she did on Friday paid off.
Busted: Paris' boyfriend Cy Waits was booked for a DUI
Paris Hilton's attorney David Chesnoff has asked people not to judge the heiress for her drug arrest until all the facts are known.
'Paris Hilton was released this morning on her own recognizance,' he said today.
'This matter will be dealt with in the courts not in the media and I encourage people not to rush to judgement until all of the facts have been dealt with in a court of law. There will be no interviews and no more comments at this time.'
Hilton is denying the cocaine allegedly found in her car in Las Vegas last night is hers.
It is the same defence she successfully used when facing drug charges in South Africa last month.
Hilton insists the purse in which the drugs were allegedly found by police doesn't belong to her, sources close to Hilton have told celebrity website TMZ.
Perfecting the pose: Paris' mugshots from September 2006 (left) and June 2007. The actress was first arrested and charged in 2006 for driving under the influence and ended up having her license suspended. She was pulled over twice in 2007 and found to be driving with an invalid license.
And she has hired high-powered Vegas lawyer Chesnoff to handle the case.
Although Hilton was the only woman in the car that was stopped, she had been partying earlier at a club where her purse could have been mixed up with someone else's, says TMZ.
Hilton was arrested for possessing cocaine after her car was stopped by police in Las Vegas.
Her boyfriend Cy Waits, who was driving the car, was booked on charges of DUI.
The socialite was booked into the Clark County Detention Center early on Saturday on a charge of possession of cocaine.
And she was released at around 2.30 am local time on Saturday.
The socialite was booked into the Clark County Detention Center early this morning where she is still being held
Police say she was in a car driven by a friend that was stopped when officers noticed what they suspected to be marijuana smoke coming from it.
During the stop officers found what appeared to be a controlled substance on Hilton and tests showed that it was cocaine. It is not clear how much of the drug was found.
Police spokesman Marcus Martin described events leading up to Hilton's arrest. 'Officers noticed a vehicle leaving a smoke trail of a contolled substance (and) made a stop based on that,' he said.
He did not know how much cocaine had been found.
Hilton was quickly recognised by passers-by and a crowd gathered around the area where the vehicle had been pulled over.
Calm before the storm: Paris Hilton gets primped and pampered in Las Vegas on the day of her arrest
Four years ago the reality TV star was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and sentenced to 45 days in prison.
She ended up spending 23 days in jail in June 2007.
On her release, she told Larry King that the experience caused her to re-evaluate the role partying played in her life.
She said she wanted 'to help raise money for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.'
The heiress was arrested again this summer after the Brazil-Netherlands World Cup match in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on suspicion of possession of marijuana. The case was then dropped at a midnight court hearing.
Hilton's manager was not available for comment today. Her publicist Dawn Miller referred Mail Online to the statement by Hilton's lawyer.
Ready for my close up: Paris at the salon on Friday getting her hair and make up done
Serenading: Cheryl Cole was serenaded by 23-year-old lifeguard Stephen Concannon during his audition
It was eye candy aplenty in The X Factor tonight, when Cheryl Cole was serenaded by a lifeguard and guest judge Katy Perry ordered him to take his shirt off.
As soon as Stephen Concannon, 23, took to the stage, he had the attention of the audience and the judging panel as he told them he was a lifeguard, to which Katy replied: 'Honey, I'm drowning! Save me please!'
And, after Stephen serenaded Cheryl during his audition, leaving the stage to sing directly to her and kiss her on the hand, Katy decided she wanted a piece of the action - telling him she would only put him through to the next round if he took his shirt off.
Eye candy: Stephen's performance went down well with all the judges... except Simon
He promptly obliged, leaving Cheryl, Katy and the female members of the audience swooning with his six pack and muscly physique.
And Stephen wasn't the only act who caught Cheryl's attention.
Eye candy also came in the form of boyband The Reason who chose to perform their own unique version of Cheryl's hit single Fight For This Love.
Off, off, off! Katy told Stephen she would only put him through to the next round if he took his top off
Ok then! Stephen duly obliged, delighting the audience with his rippling muscles and six pack
With original harmonies and no cheesy choreography, the performance astounded the judges, with Simon Cowell saying they were the best group he had seen this year.
But he did say that he hoped Louis Walsh wouldn't be mentoring the groups, adding: 'If Louis was mentoring you it would be suits, bowties and Could It Be Magic?'
And while Stephen and The Reason went down well with the crowd, this evening's X Factor didn't get off to a good start in Dublin, with guest judge Katy left wondering why she had travelled across the pond to join Cheryl, Simon and Louis on the panel.
Boy band: The Reason were also well received by the audience as they performed their own version of Cheryl's hit single Fight For This Love
Original: Simon said the band were the best group he had seen so far this year
Before the first auditionee took to the stage, Katy said: 'I can't wait to spot a star, some kind of diamond in the rough.'
First up was boyband Temple Fire, who compared themselves to Take That before performing their own unique version of Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
Before taking to the stage, Temple Fire said: 'We've known each other for 10 years.
We rehearse for around five hours a day, sometimes six, to make sure everything is perfect.
Not so good: But Irish boyband Temple Fire didn't go down too well with the judges, with Simon asking if their performance was a joke
Terrible: The group's performance of Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go Go was described as 'hideous'
'We are going to take the stage and own the stage. Most boybands can just stand here and sing, but we can sing and dance and everything.'
The five piece group, who wore matching T-shirts bearing their band name, even left Cheryl speechless with their out-of-tune performance, complete with cringe-making dance moves.
Following their audition, Simon said: 'That was not serious was it? Oh, give me a break.'
He then added to Irish judge Louis: 'You know what Louis, I'm holding you responsible for this.'
Guest judge: Katy Perry's inclusion on the panel went down incredibly well with her fellow judges
Not impressed: At the beginning of the Dublin auditions, Cheryl and Simon looked unimpressed by the 'talent'
Needless to say, the group got four nos from the judges.
After the first few auditions, Katy, who wore a pretty blue and silver dress: 'It's going to get better, right? I came all the way here for this!'
But it didn't get better straight away, with 32-year-old student Michael McCarthy, 47-year-old pub singer Noel O'Keefe and a man dressed as a tiger all getting four nos from the judges.
While Cheryl, Katy and Louis started to get a bit happier when they saw the standard of talent increase, Simon appeared to be refusing to give anyone a yes, telling Louis: 'I haven't liked anyone.'
As girl group Sugar Bullet and singer Sadbh O'Donnell failed to win over Simon, it wasn't until unemployed hairdresser Rebecca Creighton sang Pixie Lott's Cry Me Out that the music mogul cheered up.
After Simon said yes, Louis laughed: 'Rebecca, thank you for coming in, you may have saved the day for me.'
Four nos: Michael McCarthy (left) and pub singer Noel O'Keefe didn't get through to the next round
It was the arrival of Tesco till worker Mary Byrne, however, that really got the judges' attention.
Before going on, Mary said: 'I always sing at the till, I get told to shut up by the staff. I want to be a legend by Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones.
'I would love to be a singer, it's only been in the last few years I have got the courage back to do it.'
While appearances can be deceiving, Mary left the judges and audience astounded as she sang Tom Jones' I Who Have Nothing, hitting every note and receiving a standing ovation from the delighted crowd.
Till worker: Mary Byrne has already been nicknamed the 'new SuBo' and left the judges astounded by her performance of Tom Jones's I Who Have Nothing
Amazing: Cheryl said her performance was 'full to the brim of power, emotion and passion'
Following her perfomance, Cheryl said: 'That was my favourite audition of Dublin so far. It was full to the brim of power and emotion and passion.'
Simon added: 'I think it's quite important that what we say does affect you, and I think you have the best voice out of everyone who has auditioned today. Seriously seriously good. And more than that, I really like you.'
After getting four yeses, an emotional Mary said: 'It has made me a better person today.'
Ladies' night: Girl group Sugar Bullet divided the judges, with Simon saying they were as boring as watching paint dry
Four yeses: Unemployed hairdresser Rebecca was the first act to get a yes from Simon, and four yeses overall
Next up was 27-year-old painter-decorator Matt from Essex, who said he wanted to get through to the next stage because: 'This opportunity would mean the end of Magnolia all over my face and hands!'
Singing Amy Winehouse's You Know That I'm No Good, Matt received a rapturous applause from the audience, with Louis saying he was 'surprised' by his voice but adding that he looked awkward on stage.
Simon gave Matt an 'almighty yes', while Louis and Cheryl also put him through to the next round.
The auditions then moved to London, where Michael Jackson impersonator Michael Lewis, 26, was the first act to take to the stage.
My idol: Michael Lewis took to the stage dressed as his idol Michael Jackson and performed Rock Wit U
Jeered: But his performance wasn't received well by the audience, who booed and jeered him throughout
Wearing a military jacket similar to the one previously sported by Jackson, Michael said he had been inspired to try out for the show by his idol.
He said: 'Michael Jackson is my inspiration. To me he is more than just a musical artist - he is a God, he is a way of life.
'There has been a few times when I have felt Michael Jackson's spirit and I feel like he is telling me to share my love of music.'
Glee-inspired: Group Seven wowed the crowd with their Lady Gaga medley and got through to bootcamp
Sexy ladies: Girlband Husstle delighted the judges, especially Simon, who praised their choreography
But his rendition of Rock Wit U didn't go down too well with the audience, who started booing him when he told them: 'There's a lot of negativity in the room'.
However, his determination to listen to the judges and ignore the audience didn't help him, and he was given four nos.
Next up was boyband The Reason, who delighted Cheryl by performing their own unique version of her hit single Fight For This Love.
Second time lucky: Annastasia Baker was given the chance to perform an Adele song after failing to impress with her rendition of Tina Turner's Proud Mary
Upset: Annastasia had previously got through to the judges' houses stage of the show in 2008
London saw a whole host of bands who thought they had the X Factor, including Glee-inspired group Seven, sexy girlband Husstle and boy band Princes & Rogues, who all got through to bootcamp.
Not a good look: Simon made Annastasia take off her shoes for her second song
A familiar face was on the stage next in the form of Annastasia Baker, 21, who made it through to the judges' houses stage in 2008 but wasn't taken through by Cheryl.
While her shoes distracted Simon as soon as she came on for her audition, her performance of Tina Turner's Proud Mary was even less popular with the music mogul, who told her: 'This is like one of those terrible Tina Tuner impersonation acts.
I've seen trannies do better versions than that.'
But Simon decided to give Annastasia a second chance, after making her take her white shoes off, and she sang Adele's Make You Feel My Love.
The emotional track went down a lot better with the judges, with Cheryl saying: 'I think you did a fantastic audition', and Louis also praising her.
And despite Simon telling her she sang like a cabaret singer, he eventually said yes - giving her three yeses and putting her through to the next stage.
A 'mutton bustin' girl clings on for dear life while riding a sheep at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California. The children must be under the age of six and weigh no more than 60lb
Holding on for dear life to their wooly steeds, these wild west kids are getting in on some rodeo action by taking part in America's burgeoning 'Mutton Bustin' scene.
Wearing an ice hockey helmet, face guard and a child sized protective vest, any young bronco under the age of six and weighing no more than 60lb can take part.
The aim of the game is to hold onto the 180lb Cross Colombian ewes for up to six seconds as they are released from a gate into the 150ft long and 50ft wide run.
Most fall off after a second or so, but for those who can ride out the rough and tumble a place awaits at the Mutton Bustin world championships being held this October in Fresno, California and a £3, 200 prize.
"I have been doing this with my company Wool Warriors for 25 years," said rodeo entrepreneur Tommy G, who runs his sheep riding business out of Pueblo, Colorado.
"We own around 500 sheep and we take around 75 to around 14 fairs across the USA for the mutton bustin events.
"That way we ensure that they are rotated and properly rested and in no way over worked.
I'm slipping... This unfortunate rider's grip is loosened by the sheep at a fair in Missouri
Ouch, that's going to hurt. The rider is up-ended as the sheep veers off to the right
"They are more than capable of carrying a small child on their back and the Houston Livestock Board gave us the once over for safety in 2008 and declared that skateboarding or roller blading was more dangerous for the kids than this."
Originally starting as a filler during proper rodeo events in America, Tommy, 44, quickly so the potential for growth in riding sheep.
"The mutton bustin was done as a half time entertainment and always I would see 40 or 50 kids disappointed that they had missed their turn," explained Tommy.
"So, by setting up Wool Warriors and having our own purpose built track and seating capabilities lets us entertain every child who wants to have a go."
His legs firmly tucked in under the sheep, this boy holds on for dear life as he rides a sheep at the Ventura County Fair in California. Originally starting as a filler during proper rodeo event, organisers soon saw the potential for growth in riding sheep
Charging around £8 for the pleasure of riding a put upon ewe, Tommy estimates that during their countrywide tours around 8,000 kids get a chance to act out as their rodeo heroes.
"Safety is the key," said Tommy.
"They are padded and their head is protected. No child is forced to do it if they change their mind.
"And in Fresno this year we will be hosting the mutton bustin world championship.
"The winners of the 'Golden Buckle', from each of the 14 previous fairs are invited to play off against each other.
"We are expecting 300 kids and their families to arrive and the first prize is a £3,200 saving bond for the winner."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptyKSiRyQ4Yendofvid [starttext] Jumping for joy: Breeders in Denmark have been 'rabbit hopping' for years and - despite animal cruelty concerns - say the animals are doing what comes naturally and enjoy the challenges
It's quite simple for the human being involved. All they have to do is give a little pep talk to their long-eared athlete, and then hang on to a lead while the rabbit does all the work.
Started in Sweden around 1980, the craze really captured the imagination of neighbours Denmark in 1993.
From there it has been going from strength to strength, with a rabbit hopping club opening recently in Germany and a number in the U.S. as well.
Get 'em while they're young: For owners, breeder and judge Aase Bjerner says the trick is to start training your rabbit at around eight weeks. For spectators, the joy of the sport is obvious
The 2010 Danish Rabbit Hopping Championships were held earlier this month, attracting a large number of competitors and spectators alike.
Enthusiasts of the sport will tell you that there are four main events:
The Elite Straight: Rabbit competitors are given a series of obstacles to clear in a straight line. More points are earned if the obstacles are jumped without hesitation.
The Elite Crooked: The obstacles are placed in an offset, winding pattern. Once again, the less instruction the rabbit needs from its human owner the more points awarded.
High Jump and Long Jump: No great mystery here. Obstacles of increasing height or length are placed before the competitors until there is an eventual winner.
It's not a lucrative sport, but true competitors always prefer glory over fortune.
The current high jump world record, for example, is held by the late 'Tøsen' (with handler Tine Hygom), who sprang 39.2 inches into the record books in Herning, Denmark, in June 1997.
Danish breeder and rabbit hopping judge Aase Bjerner says the secret to a champion hopper is to start training the animal young.
Mrs Bjerner suggests eight weeks, and says it's best and safest to use a special harness rather than a neck leash, which can be a choking danger.
r since their debut showcase a couple of days ago, Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) has been drawing more popularity by the minute, and the fans will pay for it… literally.
Television show, Mezamashi TV, decided to have a short 15 minute concert with Shoujo Jidai at The United States of Odaiba yesterday at 5 PM. Not only that, but tickets for the event cost a whopping 1500 yen ($17USD), which was literally 100 yen per minute.
They performed two songs, “GENIE” (Korean version) and “Gee“, and the full show will be aired on Tuesday, August 31st.
Check after the jump for the teaser video of their performance.
Morning Musume graduate, Abe Natsumi, is finally continuing her solo career with the release of her new single, “Ame Agari no Niji no Youni“. The track is due out on September 15th, and this is the first single the singer has released in a year and nine months.
The song is composed by fellow pop singer Okamura Takako, and Natsumi will be using the single as a way to brush off her old image as an idol, and take her first steps into being a full-fledged singer. The coupling track on the single will be a cover of Okamura Takako’s song, “Yume wo Akiramenaide“.
“Ame Agari no Niji no Youni” will be released in two editions: CD and CD + DVD limited. The limited edition version will come with a different cover and a DVD with the music video for the title track
CS broadcasting has been regularly airing season four of a family theater program called, “AKB48 Nemousu Television“. This Sunday, the ninth episode will air with a special twist: Team K member, Miyazawa Sae, will challenge a professional bowler.
The challenge dates back to four months ago when the “Nemousu Television Special ~Team Taikou! Haru no Taikai~” bowling special of the show was aired. In the special, it was announced that one member would train to challenge a professional bowler. Member Miyazawa Sae was picked, and she has trained under professional bowler Sugimoto Katsuko. The official challenge test will be aired in March of next year, but fans can get a sneak peek at the training process on this week’s episode of the AKB48 show.
Today, MBC’s Music Core was back again to showcase K-pop’s great artists.
Following last week’s special MCs of BEAST’s Doojoon and Ki Kwang, and IU, the next trio of artists to participate as the special MCs were 2AM’s Jinwoon, and T-ara’s Jiyeon and Hyomin.
Today’s episode included the comebacks of F.T Island, SISTAR, G.NA, and JQT, as well as the debut of rookie 8-membered hybrid group F1RST.
Other artists who performed today include: BoA (Hurricane Venus), SE7EN (Digital Bounce), Taeyang (I’ll Be There), SHINee (Lucifer), SECRET (Madonna), Rainbow (A), Eru (White Tears), Infinite (She’s Back), Supernova (On Days That I Missed You), Double K feat. Lyn (Playa Love), ZiA (Laughter), and Wheesung (I Thought To Marry).
Check out the performances from today’s Music Core below!
[starttext] After their successful comeback on Music Bank last night, F.T Island continued their Love Love Love comeback stages with a performance today on Music Core.
F.T Island has finally returned to the Korean music scene with their Beautiful Journey mini-album, and title track, Love Love Love. With Lee Hong Ki’s passionate vocals and Seunghyun’s supportive rap , F.T Island displayed yet another awesome performance for viewers and fans.
We’re glad to have them back! Check out their performance below!
After wrapping up her debut track promotions last week, G.NA returned to the Music Core stage today with her follow-up track, Supa Solo.
Although Supa Solo is very different from G.NA’s previously released tracks, What I Want to Do Once I Have A Lover and I’ll Back Off So You Can Live, she didn’t fail to amaze viewers and fans.
From her powerful vocals to her confident stage presence, G.NA gave yet another flawless performance with her hot new look.
Everyone say, “La la la la~“, and check out her performance below!
Hair-raising new look: Kym Marsh backcombed her hair into a large quiff as she arrived at Manchester Gay Pride
Rock chick: Kym looked trendy in her skintight leather trousers and Wonder Woman T-shirt
Puckering up: Kym and co-star Beverley Callard share a kiss on the float
Floating along: The pair were just two of the stars chosen to ride on the float celebrating the 50th anniversary of Coronation Street
Dressing up: Beverley (left) and co-star Brooke Vincent pulled out all the stops
Celebration: The castmembers rode on this colourful float through Manchester
+is+taking+hold+in+the+U.S.+1.jpg)
+is+taking+hold+in+the+U.S.+2.jpg)
+is+taking+hold+in+the+U.S.+3.jpg)
+is+taking+hold+in+the+U.S.+4.jpg)
