Author J.K. Rowling was named “Entertainer of the Year” by Entertainment Weekly. Her success with the “Harry Potter” series of books is staggering.  Revenue from all “Harry Potter related sources is about $15 billion. 400 million books sold worldwide. $4.5 billion in worldwide box office ticket gross sales, for all five of the “Harry Potter” movie films. A truly incredible feat.

What J.K. Rowling has done to drive such strong growth in book reading is undeniable. Children of all ages are hooked on her books.  Far beyond the words she offers in her books, one can find an enriched culture wrapped around “Harry Potter” and the ensemble of lively characters.

What’s next for Rowling? She has a few ideas in mind – one involves children and one for adults. Based on her successful past, whatever comes next will most likely be another hit. Full article

The beautiful Alicia Keys has released her third album, titled “As I Am.” The talented singer-songwriter is interviewed by Entertainment Weekly, and discloses her personal battles and hitting rock bottom.

Alicia has always been a shy, private person. “Ever since I was little, I always felt like if people knew about me, they’d be able to use it against me.”

Her talent is incredible and success has followed closely behind. Keys has 9 Grammys and sold 11.5 CD’s and collaborated with countless industry giants such as Usher, Eve, Bono and Ray Charles. Even with her success, she was depressed, “‘I discovered a lot about myself I didn’t like,” she says. ”I would look in the mirror and I didn’t know who that person was. I didn’t like my eyes; I didn’t like what they said. I couldn’t sleep. I was uncomfortable all the time, and irritated and frustrated.” Full article

She’s made a dynamic leap from European actress to Hollywood superstar – but for Penelope Cruz the sudden rise to fame and fortune hasn’t come without a price.

“The most difficult thing in the world is to start a career known only for your looks, and then to try to become a serious actress. No one will take you seriously once you are known as the pretty woman.”

The exquisitely beautiful Spanish star was romantically involved with Tom Cruise, but was accused of breaking up his marriage with Nicole Kidman. Their relationship ended after nearly four years.

“I am amazed about how everyone wants to know about my love life. They whisper to me, ‘Tell me the truth? Is it true?’ Who cares? Because we have this job, we are to say to everybody what we do, or with whom we sleep? It’s a bit absurd, but that’s why everybody.”

“I have stepped off the relationship scene to come to terms with myself. I have spent most of my adult life being ‘someone’s girlfriend’, and now I am happy being single.”

In 2000, Christina Milian made her first official musical appearance on Ja Rule’s second studio album Rule 3:36, performing guest vocals on his song “Between Me and You”. Released as the album’s lead single in 2001, the track managed to peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, building Milian’s reputation as a singer.

Christina Milian continues, “When I go home, I still have to clean my room, I still have to do the dishes. We have somebody come every now and then to do that stuff, but my mom still makes me clean before she comes.”

Keira Knightley appeared in the print ad for the Chanel fragrance Coco Mademoiselle. The ad features her naked and covering her chest with a bowler hat. Her modest cleavage was digitally enhanced in the ad.

“Those things certainly weren’t mine. I was like, ‘OK, fine. I honestly don’t give a shit.’ I don’t have any tits, so I can’t show cleavage.”

In May 2007, Keira revealed she was hurt by recent allegations that her thin frame was promoting anorexia and she was considering quitting acting as a result.

“People said to me, ‘How does it feel to be called anorexic?’ I had no idea that I was. I’m not saying there aren’t people in the film industry that suffer from it [anorexia], but I’m quite sure I don’t have it.”

“At parties, I stand on my own, grinning aimlessly. I can never think of a thing to say. I wish I was Sienna Miller. I watch that girl and she is just fabulous. She talks to everyone and laughs and smiles.”

Keira did all of her own stunts in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. She was thrilled that she actually got to sword fight in this one. In the first one she begged for a sword fight, but they did not let her have one.

Amy Smart’s parents’ names are John Smart who was a salesman and Judy Carrington who worked at the Jean Paul Getty museum. A friend to the environment, Amy has worked with the Heal The Bay organization, the Environmental Media Association, and the Humane Society.

Amy Smart reached her widest audience with a co-starring role opposite James Van Der Beek in Varsity Blues (1999) as a girl who longs for life beyond her small town’s high school football-obsessed culture but who, as sister of the injured star quarterback and girlfriend of his idealistic replacement, is tied to it.

Smart continued her successful career with a bang. Smart appeared in two hit films back to back – The Butterfly Effect and Starsky and Hutch.

When asked about her funniest, most dramatic and sexiest roles, Amy Smart replies… “The most dramatic would definitely be The Butterfly Effect.”

“The funniest, I would say, is my character in Rat Race; more specifically, when I’m flying the helicopter.”

“The sexiest, I would have to say Smith! Road Trip may have been ‘sexy’ [in a collegiate way], but Smith to me is more womanly sexy. Annie really owns her sexuality — and she’s not scared to use it to get something.”

Angelina has many tattoos including: the letter “H” on the inside of her left wrist (in honor of her brother, James Haven), “A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages” on her left forearm (a Tennessee Williams quote), the Japanese sign for death, two American Indian symbols, a dragon and a large black cross. She also collects knives and likes mortuary science.

Angelina is of Czech, English, and Native American heritage and has measurements of 36C-28-36. Her favorite Disney character is Dumbo the flying elephant, and cried when she learned he was able to fly.

Angelina has been in the news as much for her humanitarian efforts in Africa, as for her relationship with Brad Pitt and their adopted children.

Charlize Theron grew up on a small farm outside Benoni, South Africaa and was an only child. She got an education as a ballet dancer and has danced both the “Swan Lake” and the “Nutcracker Suite”.

At the age of 15, Charlize Theron witnessed the death of her father, Charles Theron. He was an abusive alcoholic and her mother, Gerda Theron, shot him in self defense when he attacked her. No charges were pressed. At the age of 18, her mother made her go to Los Angeles to try to begin a career in the movie industry.

Charlize Theron is the first South African to win an Oscar for Best Actress. This captivating former model has carved out a very impressive career, by playing some really ugly and bizarre characters. Theron continued her deglamorized cinema streak, as a sexually harassed miner in the movie North Country, which earned Charlize Golden Globe and Oscar nods in 2006.

On the paparazzi, “They try to beat you down so you give in but I’ll never do that. If I have to call as many restraining orders or dump as many water bottles on cameras, that’s what I’ll do.”

Brad Pitt was chosen as one of People Magazine’s annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World in May 2007.

Brad Pitt revealed in 2007 that he still remains friends with his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston. “Jen and I still maintain a deep friendship and have a lot of life together that isn’t erased in any way. I don’t know how better to have handled it. My view was, this is no one’s business in the end – at least in matters of the heart.

So you need to protect all involved as much as possible. I don’t know if that cooled things off or exacerbated them, but it was a thing I felt justly about at the time. Again, the thing guiding me then was you don’t know how many days you have and you need life to be everything you want it to be.”

Brad says he really admires Angelina Jolie’s devotion to orphans, but he still longs to have children of his own.  Brad and Angelina are awaiting the birth of twins.

When Pitt was asked about being a father, “My expectations about being a dad are being excelled daily. When I tuck the children in at night I always take the time to talk to them. I have three kids now and next year I’ll have six then nine. We’re looking for a soccer team. I want to compete in the next World Cup.”

Patrick Dempsey has had a meteoric rise to fame as doctor “McDreamy” on the hit ABC show, “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Patrick married Jill Fink on July 31, 1999 and the couple are still happily married. They have three children together – a daughter named Talula, and twin boys – Sullivan Patrick and Darby Galen born February 1, 2007.

When Dempsey asked how his popularity affects his wife), “If someone acts inappropriately or suggestively towards me, it grates on her. I mean, I’m a married man and the last thing you need in that situation is to be considered a sexy individual. I’m trying to just have a calm family life, to make my marriage work.”

Having Dislexia, Dempsey says, “Reading to my daughter has been therapeutic. I’ve gone back and started to learn to read on a very basic level. I’m reading Dr. Seuss, and I’m healing that part of myself, as well as developing my daughter.”

Discussing whether Meredith and Derek will end up together, Patrick responds, “I would love for Derek and Meredith to have a healthy relationship. It got a little too depressing last year, and I think the writers need to lighten up and get back to the first season. That’s what people want to see.”

We’ve all read the headlines and seen the news clips on the troubles of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.  It’s like a tabloid circus out there.  Many question, “Where are their parents and specifically their moms?”  Some stars have troubled childhoods. For others, it’s the fame and fortune that undue them.  Are the moms really to blame? Full article