Shakira Biography

NAME: Shakira

OCCUPATION: Singer

BIRTH DATE: February 02, 1977 (Age: 34)

PLACE OF BIRTH: Barranquilla, Colombia

ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius

Singer, songwriter. Born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. With a Lebanese father and Colombian mother, Shakira honors her Latino and Arabic heritage in her music. She wrote her first song at the age of 8 and signed her first record deal at 13.

After her first two albums flopped, Shakira took the reins of her third album, becoming involved in every aspect of its production. Released in 1996, Pies Descalzos, meaning "bare feet," sold more than three million copies. The album featured her trademark sound, a blending of Latin, rock, and Arabic musical styles. The follow-up record, Dónde Están Los Ladrones? (1998), which translates as "Where are the thieves?," reached the top of Billboard's Latin charts. Based on the success of her albums, Shakira became a music superstar in the Spanish-language markets, known for her strong vocals and incredible hip-shaking belly dance moves.

Shakira Mebarak (full name: Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) was born February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, into a poor family. Her mother was a native Colombian and her father was of Lebanese descent, and so as a child Shakira soaked up music from both cultures; she also listened heavily to English-language rock & roll, listing her favorite bands in later interviews as Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Police, the Cure, and Nirvana. Shakira wrote her first song at age eight, began entering (and winning) talent competitions at age ten, and started learning the guitar at age 11 (one story runs that around this age, she was kicked out of her school choir for singing too forcefully). In 1990, at age 13, Shakira moved to Bogotá in hopes of pursuing a modeling career, but wound up signing a record deal with Sony's Colombian division instead. Her 1991 debut album, Magia, was comprised of songs she'd written over the past five or six years, including some of her earliest efforts. Although it didn't break internationally, the record started to make a name for her in her home country. Dissatisfied with the pop inclinations of the follow-up, 1993's Peligro, Shakira changed direction for a time, joining the cast of the Colombian soap opera El Oasis in 1994.

When Shakira returned to recording in 1995, she asserted more control over the direction of her music and worked more rock & roll rhythms -- as well as occasional Arabic tinges -- into her Latin pop material. The first results were Pies Descalzos, which was initially released in 1995; a slow seller at first, the album gradually caught on thanks to "Estoy Aqui," which became a hit all over Latin America, as well as Spain. After that breakthrough, Pies Descalzos just kept spinning off singles: "Dónde Estás Corazón?," "Antología," "Pienso en Ti," "Un Poco de Amor," "Se Quiere, Se Mata." The album hit number one in eight different countries and eventually went platinum in the U.S. as well; Shakira toured for nearly two years promoting it (she finally left El Oasis in 1997).

Seeking to build on her success, Shakira signed Emilio Estefan -- Gloria's husband and a highly successful music-biz insider -- as her manager and producer. The move paid off when her follow-up album, 1998's Dónde Están los Ladrones? (Where Are the Thieves?), became an even bigger worldwide hit than its predecessor. What was more, it cracked the lucrative U.S. market wide open, spending 11 weeks at number one on Billboard's Latin album chart and producing two U.S. number ones (on the Latin chart) with "Ciega, Sordomuda" and "Tu." The album's signature track, however, was the worldwide hit "Ojos Así," her most explicit nod yet to the Arabic music she'd picked up from her father (not to mention its latent belly dancing connotations). Dónde Están los Ladrones? was also the most effective presentation yet of Shakira's strong-willed persona; her self-analysis made her even more popular among female fans, while her anger over love gone wrong drew comparisons to Alanis Morissette.

Since 2000, she has been engaged to Antonio de la Rúa, the son of the former President of Argentina. In light of the humanitarian and social crisis in Argentina, many members of the press lampooned the relationship as frivolous and arrogant. In response, Shakira gave an unprofitable concert in Buenos Aires and further promoted her humanitarian children's foundation 'Pies Descalzos' (Bare feet), named after her third album. This was decried by many as a simple celebrity public relations move.

Legend of Michael Jackson And His Biography

NAME: Michael Jackson

OCCUPATION: Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer

BIRTH DATE: August 29, 1958

DEATH DATE: June 25, 2009

Height : 5' 11" (1.80 m)

PLACE OF BIRTH: Gary, Indiana

The King of Pop, singer-song writer Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958. As a child, he was lead singer of the Jackson family's popular Motown group, The Jackson 5. Michael Jackson went on to become one of the most internationally famous award-winning solo pop sensations to date. His 2009 death stirred controversy and was ultimately ruled an accidental overdose.

Glorious Life :

Believing his sons had talent, he molded them into a musical group in the early 1960s. At first, the Jackson Family performers consisted of Michael's older brothers Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie. Michael joined his siblings when he was five, and emerged as the group's lead vocalist. He showed remarkable range and depth for such a young performer, impressing audiences with his ability to convey complex emotions. Older brother Marlon also became a member of the group, which evolved into the The Jackson 5.

Behind the scenes, Joseph Jackson pushed his sons to succeed. He was also reportedly known to become violent with them. Michael and his brothers spent endless hours rehearsing and polishing up their act. At first, the Jackson 5 played local gigs and built a strong following. They recorded one single on their own, "Big Boy" with the b-side "You've Changed," but it failed to generate much interest.

The Jackson 5 moved on to working an opening act for such R&B artists as Gladys Knight and the Pips, James Brown, and Sam and Dave. Many of these performers were signed to the legendary Motown record label, and it has been reported that Gladys Knight may have been the one to tell Motown founder Berry Gordy about the Jackson 5. Impressed by the group, Gordy signed them to his label in 1968.

In 1978, he appeared in the film version of The Wiz, where he met musical director Quincy Jones. The veteran Jones, whose credits in the jazz and pop worlds extended back to the Fifties, would become the producer of Jackson’s best-known albums. The first of these, Off the Wall (1979) introduced Michael Jackson to the world as a vibrant, poised young man bursting with talent and ideas. It was his first solo album in four years, and he turned 21 the month it was released. Off the Wall yielded chart-toppers in “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock With You.”

In 1985, Jackson helped topple another sales record. As coauthor of and performer on “We Are the World” - a benefit single for the USA for Africa famine-relief charity, recorded with a cast of music stars - Jackson had a big hand in what became the top-selling single up to that point in history. That same year, he also bought publishing rights to ATV Music – 4,000 songs in all, including about 250 Beatles songs - outbidding his friend and collaborator, Paul McCartney. In 1986, Jackson appeared in Caption Eo, a 15-minute 3D film made for the Disney theme parks by Jackson with renowned producers George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola.

In 1995, Jackson merged his ATV Music catalog with Sony's music publishing division creating Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Jackson retained half-ownership of the company, earned $95 million upfront as well as the rights to even more songs.[139][140] He then released the double album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. The first disc, HIStory Begins, was a 15-track greatest hits album, and was later reissued as Greatest Hits: HIStory, Volume I in 2001, while the second disc, HIStory Continues, contained 15 new songs. The album debuted at number one on the charts and has been certified for seven million shipments in the US.[141] It is the best-selling multiple-disc album of all-time, with 20 million copies (40 million units) sold worldwide.[105][142] HIStory received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.

On 25th June 2009, it was announced that Michael Jackson had died of a cardiac arrest. He had been at his rented home in Los Angeles when he stopped breathing. His personal physician was with him and attempted to resuscitate him but to no avail. He was pronounced dead at around 2:25 pm local time.

The incident happened less than a month before Michael Jackson was set to undertake a mammoth 50-date residency at the O2 arena in London. Jackson’s life was celebrated at a memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7. Those who paid tribute by speaking or singing included Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Rev. Al Sharpton, Jackson’s brothers and sisters, and most movingly of all, his young daughter, Paris Katherine Jackson.

Lauren Conrad Biography

Birth Name: Lauren Katherine Conrad

Birth Place: Newport Beach, CA

Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 02/01/1986, Aquarius

Profession: Reality-show cast member

Lauren Conrad Relationships:

Brandon Conrad - Brother

Breanna Conrad - Sister

Jason Wahler - Ex-significant Other

Jim Conrad - Father

Kathy Conrad - Mother

Stephen Colletti - Ex-significant Other

Kyle Howard - Ex-significant Other

Biography

Reality star Lauren Catherine Conrad, who was born in Newport on February 1, 1986, grew up in Laguna Beach, California. Lauren Conrad was a cast member on the first season of MTV’s reality TV show Laguna Beach. In the show, she had a crush on Stephen Colletti, and dated Jason Wahler. She began to harbor an interest for fashion design when she was in seventh grade, so she studied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for a semester.

During Conrad's senior year of high school, she appeared in the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County in which she agreed to have her life taped. Upon graduation in 2004, she attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for one semester along with her friend, Heidi Montag. During the second season of Laguna Beach, she returned home and began taking classes at a local community college before subsequently transferring to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Conrad at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

After the success of Laguna Beach, MTV developed The Hills, a spin-off series. The series originally documented the personal and professional lives of Lauren and her friends (Heidi Montag, Audrina Patridge, and Whitney Port) while living in Los Angeles, California. The first season premiered on MTV on May 31, 2006. At the time, Conrad was an intern at Teen Vogue while living with then-housemate Heidi Montag.

The series was later renewed for a second season, which was filmed from late summer 2006 through February 2007 and premiered on January 15, 2007. During that time, Conrad and Montag's friendship deteriorated, as Heidi was increasingly spending her time with her new boyfriend, Spencer Pratt. By February 2007, Audrina Patridge became Conrad's roommate after Montag moved into a separate apartment with Pratt.[8] Filming for the third season of The Hills began in mid-summer 2007 and lasted through March 2008. The premiere episode of season 3 aired on August 13, 2007. During that time, Conrad was able to revive her position at Teen Vogue and was offered a trip to Paris alongside Whitney Port. By March 2008, Port had left Teen Vogue for fashion PR firm People's Revolution, and after asking Conrad to assist at an event, Kelly Cutrone invited her to work for her company.

Filming for the fourth season of The Hills began in mid-summer 2008 and lasted through November 2008. The premiere episode of Season 4 aired on August 18, 2008. Filming for Season 5 began in January 2009, and the premiere episode aired April 6, 2009. Conrad confirmed that the fifth season would be her last.[9] She made her final appearance in the series on May 31, 2009. The program continued without her, with former Laguna Beach castmate Kristin Cavallari being hired as Conrad's replacement. In March 2010, it was announced that the sixth season of The Hills would be the last. There was much speculation that Conrad would make a guest appearance for the series finale. The series ended on July 13, 2010, after airing six seasons and 102 episodes. She did not appear in the finale, but later said that she filmed an alternate ending of the series with Brody Jenner.

Love her or hate her, Lauren Conrad has certainly changed what we thought was possible on TV. The first show she appeared on, Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, proved that real people could actually turn their whole lives into a show without being stuck on an island or forced to live in the same house competing in ridiculous contests for prizes. The MTV "reality" series followed Conrad and her wealthy socialite friends as they did the things that all normal teenagers do: backstab, sleep around, vacation regularly, and buy Dior stilettos. The show made her an instant star, and she returned to the network on The Hills, another prime-time hit that documents her daily highs and lows in the City of Angels. She declared the fifth season her last and left the show on May 31, 2009. Don't worry, her friends will continue filming, so they can remind us weekly that rich people really do have it better, even if they don't appreciate it.

Adele Biography

Birth Name: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins

Birth Place: Tottenham, London, England

Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 05/05/1988, Taurus

Profession: Singer-songwriter; musician

Background

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born May 21, 1988 in Tottenham, North London, England. She began singing at the age of four and credits the Spice Girls for what she is today. Growing up, the girl group was a huge influence on her passion for music. Adele graduated from BRIT School in Croydon in May of 2006. Leona Lewis was a classmate of hers. Originally, Adele was interested in a career in A&R. After recording a three song demo, Adele gave the recordings to a friend who then posted her work on MySpace. Her music received much positive attention and led to a phone call from music label XL Recordings. Doubting the legitimacy of the offer, Adele brought her friend with her to the meeting. The offer proved to be legit and Adele was signed to the label in September 2006.

Adele's first record, "Hometown Glory", in which she sings the praises of Tottenham, was released on 22 October 2007 as a limited edition 7" vinyl on Jamie T's label Pacemaker Recordings, with B side "Best For Last". "Hometown Glory" was featured as the single of the week on iTunes. Since launching her MySpace page on Christmas Eve 2004, Adele became popular on the site which she used as a media focus and test point for songs. She then signed to independent music label XL Recordings.which in January 2008 released her second single "Chasing Pavements", hitting #2 for 4 weeks in the UK Chart and still in the Top 40 14 weeks after release. [7] Adele then released her debut album 19, which went straight to #1 in the UK charts and was certified platinum within a month of its release.

In March 2008 Adele signed to Columbia Records in America, and embarked on her first live shows in North America and Canada, playing two sold out shows at Joe's Pub in New York, a sold out show at LA's Hotel Cafe, as well as two sold out shows at Cabaret in Montreal and Rivoli in Toronto.

Adele performed Daydreamer on BBC Two's Later With Jools Holland, alongside Paul McCartney and Björk;[2] and then on BBC1's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 7 December 2007, singing Chasing Pavements.

In February 2008, Adele announced a new nine date UK tour, calling at Cardiff, Newcastle, Edinburgh, York, Manchester, Cambridge, Southampton, Birmingham, and London. The tour also includes overseas performances in Japan and the United States.[8]

On 13th April 2008, Hometown Glory re-entered the UK Singles Charts at number 38 after featuring in an episode of the E4 show Skins.

On 11th May Adele performed a selection of songs from 19 at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent. She sang Cold Shoulder, Melt My Heart To Stone, Right As Rain, Hometown Glory, Tired and Chasing Pavements.

On 16 June 2008, Adele performed an exclusive set for Billboard Magazine. The set can be viewed here.

On 16 June 2008 Adele performed "Chasing Pavements" from 19 on The Late Show With David Letterman.On 10 December 2007, Adele was awarded with the first Brit Awards Critics' Choice Award.

Adele released her second album 21 in 2011. The album's sound is described as contemporary roots and country music. She has said that this is because her bus driver would play contemporary Nashville music while touring in the American South. She told Spin Magazine He listened to all this amazing country music and we'd rock out late at night, chain smoking and listening to Rascal Flatts. It was really exciting for me because I never grew up around [that music]." The album hit #1 in Ireland, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium. In March 2011, it debuted #1 in the US. After her BRIT awards performance in February 2011, her single "Someone Like You" went straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart. To promote her album Adele will perform in Europe and North America on her Adele Live tour. As of April 2011, she has sold the most albums of all artists in 2011 in the US, with sales totaling over 1,070,000.

Joe Jonas Biography

Birth Name: Joseph Adam Jonas

Birth Place: Casa Grande, AZ

Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 08/15/1989, Leo

Profession: Musician; singer

Joe Jonas Relationships:

Kevin Jonas Sr. - Father

Denise Jonas - Mother

Kevin Jonas - Brother

Nick Jonas - Brother

Franklin Jonas - Brother

Taylor Swift - Ex-significant Other

Camilla Belle - Ex-significant Other

Ashley Greene - Ex-significant Other

Joseph Adam “Joe” Jonas was born on August 15, 1989 in Casa Grande, Arizona but grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey. When he was younger, he wanted to be a famous comedian. And while he originally planned to audition for sketch comedy shows, he was often distracted with his connection to music.

Music career

In early 2005, Columbia Records' new president, Steve Greenberg, listened to Nick's record. While Greenberg did not like the album, he did like Nick's voice.[8] After hearing the song, "Please Be Mine", written and performed by all the brothers, Daylight/Columbia Records decided to sign the three as a group act.[9] After being signed to Columbia, the brothers considered naming their group "Sons of Jonas" before settling on the name "Jonas Brothers".[10]

It's About Time, the brothers' first album, was released on August 8, 2006.[11] According to the band's manager, it was only a "limited release" of a little over 50,000 copies. Because Sony was not interested in further promoting the band, the Jonas Brothers then considered switching labels. The band was ultimately dropped by Columbia Records in early 2007.

After shortly being without a label, the Jonas Brothers signed with Hollywood Records in February 2007.[12][13] Around the same time, the brothers began appearing in GAP commercials for Baby Bottle Pops, singing the jingle.[13] Their self-titled second album, Jonas Brothers, was released on August 7, 2007.[14] It reached number five on the Billboard Hot 200 chart in its first week.

The Jonas Brothers' third studio album, A Little Bit Longer, was released in the United States on August 12, 2008 and peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200.[15]

On June 16, 2009, The Jonas Brothers' fourth studio album, and third release under Hollywood Records entitled Lines, Vines, and Trying Times was released. The album peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with 247,000 copies sold.

Acting career

On August 17, 2007, Jonas, along with his brothers, guest starred in an episode of Hannah Montana. The episode debuted alongside the television film High School Musical 2 and a sneak peek of the new Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb.[26] The episode broke basic cable records with a record 10.7 million viewers, and became basic cable's most watched series telecast ever.[27]

Jonas and his brothers filmed a Disney Channel Original Movie called Camp Rock, where they play a band called "Connect Three." Joe plays the lead male role and lead singer "Shane Gray"; Nick plays the role of "Nate", a guitarist and drummer; and Kevin plays the role of "Jason," also a guitarist. The film's soundtrack was released on June 17, 2008. The movie premiered on June 20, 2008 in the USA on Disney Channel, and in Canada on Family. Jonas reprised his role of Shane in the sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. The film premiered on September 3, 2010 and the soundtrack was released on August 10, 2010.

The reality short series, Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream, premiered on Disney Channel on May 16, 2008. The first season, which ran until September 5, 2008, documented the brothers' lives on the Look Me In The Eyes Tour. The name was inspired by the band's hit song "When You Look Me in the Eyes". The series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on March 21, 2010.[28] The second season followed the band on the European leg of their World Tour 2009.

Justin Timberlake Celebrity

NAME: Justin Timberlake

OCCUPATION: Film Actor, Singer

BIRTH DATE: January 31, 1981 (Age: 30)

PLACE OF BIRTH: Memphis, Tennessee

ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius

Synopsis

Justin Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) began his career on The Mickey Mouse Club, starring with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. In 1995, he became a teen heartthrob with the pop group 'N Sync. Timberlake went solo in 2002, releasing his own albu.

Early Life

Pop singer. Born Justin Randall Timberlake on January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee. Raised a Baptist, Timberlake grew up singing in the church choir. From 1993 to 1995, he performed with The Mickey Mouse Club along with popsters Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and JC Chasez. Afterward, Timberlake and Chasez, along with Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick, formed the all-male singing group 'N Sync. The boy band would go on to become one of the hottest pop groups of the 1990s, releasing No Strings Attached in 2000 and Celebrity in 2001.

Film

In addition to Justin Timberlake's multi-platinum album FutureSex/LoveSounds, which produced four consecutive #1 singles, his critically acclaimed 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow tour, and multiple Grammy Awards - he appeared in four films in 2007. Timberlake received rave reviews for Universal's crime drama ALPHA DOG co-starring Emile Hirsh, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone. The Los Angeles Times said the movie is “a showcase of Timberlake, who turns in Alpha Dog's most nuanced performance.” He was also applauded for his role in Black Snake Moan, Craig Brewer's follow up to his Sundance hit Hustle and Flow, along with Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and opened February 23rd. In the summer of 2007, he loaned his voice to the all-star cast of DreamWorks' third installment of Shrek, Shrek The Third. He starred alongside Cameron Diaz, Mike Meyers and Eddie Murphy, as the voice of Artie - the young King Arthur. In the U.S., Shrek The Third generated $121 million the 1st weekend at the box office — breaking box office records for animated movies. And finally, Timberlake joined Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Mandy Moore in Southland Tales from the director of the cult hit Donnie Darko. In the summer of 2008, Justin starred alongside Mike Meyers and Jessica Alba in the 20th Century Fox film, Love Guru. In 2009, Justin will appear in the independent film, The Open Road, with Jeff Bridges, Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton and Kate Mara.

Television

Television has become yet another artistic outlet for Timberlake. He has hosted Saturday Night Live three times and several of his sketches have become viral video sensations including the Emmy Award-winning “D**k in the Box” that has been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube. Furthering his forays into televisioin, Timberlake has hosted MTV's Europe Music Awards, Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards, and recently ESPN's 2008 ESPY Awards. He also serves as executive producer on the MTV reality show called “The Phone.”

BUSINESS

Movies, tours, new albums, fashion, sports projects and production projects are all on the plate for Justin. “I enjoy the process of being creative… acting, writing music and producing. But from a business point of view, I am being turned on to so many things that also inspire me creatively. I find that I'm drawn in and want to get involved with these projects whether it's fashion, sports, music or technology. If I am not going to be a part of the complete process of creating the business, then there is no need for me to put my stamp on it. That is why each and every company I am involved with, I am a part of the entire process from A-Z.”

Boy band history

The five young men formed instant friendships and it was clear that their harmonizing styles blended together perfectly. As a result, because they were so in sync, Timberlake's mother came up with the band's appropriate name. In addition, 'N Sync was formed from the last letter of each member's first name (Justin, Chris, Joey, Jason, and J. C.). When Lance Bass (1979–) replaced Jason Allen, the boys jokingly called him Lansten so he would fit into the group's acronym. In need of financial backing, the band turned to Lou Pearlman of the Trans Continental management company. Pearlman quickly put the boys in touch with Johnny and Donna Wright, who became 'N Sync's tour managers. The Wrights were music veterans with just the right experience; they had previously managed 1980's teen heartthrobs New Kids on the Block, and they had recently helped form the Back-street Boys, another five-member teen vocal combo, and one that would be constantly compared to 'N Sync.

David Schwimmer Biography

NAME: David Schwimmer

OCCUPATION: Film Actor, Television Actor

BIRTH DATE: November 02, 1966 (Age: 45)

EDUCATION: Beverly Hills High School, Northwestern University

PLACE OF BIRTH: Queens, New York

Family

Daughter: Cleo Buckman Schwimmer. Born May 8, 2011; mother, Zoe Buckman

Father: Arthur Schwimmer. Appellate lawyer; married Schwimmer s mother in 1964

Mother: Arlene Coleman-Schwimmer. Handled the celebrity divorces of Roseanne, Julianne Phillips and Elizabeth Taylor; married Schwimmer s father in 1964

Sister: Ellie Schwimmer. Born c. 1965

Born in the New York City borough of Queens on Nov. 2, 1966, Schwimmer was raised by his parents--both prominent attorneys--in Los Angeles. He said that he could have used help fitting in at Beverly Hills High School, where he was a self-proclaimed "fat, ugly geek." By the time he entered the theatre department of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1984, he was a 1.9-m, 79-kg (6-ft 2-in, 175-lb) heartthrob, and he found inspiration and success on the Chicago stage. In his junior year he mounted an off-campus production of Alice in Wonderland that eventually led to the launching of the Lookingglass Theater Company, which Schwimmer cofounded with seven other Northwestern alumni following graduation in 1988. After commuting between Chicago and Los Angeles for a time, Schwimmer decided to concentrate on achieving success in Hollywood. He landed several small parts on television shows such as "The Wonder Years," "Monty," and "NYPD Blue" before being successfully cast in "Friends." He found friendship in the cast of "Friends" as well, all of whom considered Schwimmer to be the one they would go to in a crisis because "he's real easy to talk to. He cares." It seemed that despite the stereotype that most generation-Xers led a disconnected existence, Schwimmer was one who had found his niche. Sara Brant.

Schwimmer subsequently appeared opposite Woody Allen and Sharon Stone in Alfonso Arou's straight-to-cable comedic misfire "Picking Up the Pieces"(2000), had a terrific uncredited cameo in the underrated indie "Love & Sex" (2000), and took smaller roles in the ensembles of "The Thin Pink Line" (1998), "All the Rage" (1999) and Mike Figgis' "Hotel" (2001). He fared better on the small screen with roles as an Army captain in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks' acclaimed HBO miniseries, "Band of Brothers" (2001), and as a Jew in the Warsaw ghetto in the cable network's powerful film, "Uprising" (2001). Also on HBO, he had a fine recurring stint playing an uptight version of himself during the 2004 season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2001- ), where he was cast opposite Larry David in a stage version of Mel Brooks' "The Producers" and soon engaged in a caustic rivalry with his badgering co-star. Then after 10 highly-rated seasons, "Friends" finally came to close in 2004, with Ross' long-running relationship with Rachel ending with their reunion after what appeared to be their inevitable and permanent split.

With the show firmly in the past, Schwimmer set his sights on the future, directing episodes of the show's spin-off "Joey" (NBC, 2004- ) starring "Friends" co-star Matt LeBlanc. In 2005, he made his London stage debut at the Gielgud Theater in "Some Girls" opposite Lesley Manville and Saffron Burrows. He also voiced Melman the Giraffe in "Madagascar" (2005), Disney's animated adventure about four zoo animals who escape and inadvertently find themselves in Africa where the city slickers struggle to survive in the wild. After making his Broadway debut in a revival of Herman Wouk's "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" (2006), Schwimmer made his feature debut as a director with "Run Fatboy, Run" (2007), which starred Simon Pegg as an overweight man who tries to win back the fiancée (Thandie Newton) he left five years before by running a marathon. Following a guest episode of "30 Rock" (NBC, 2006- ) as an out-of-control environment mascot, he revived the voice of Melman for "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" (2008) and the Christmas special "Merry Madagascar" (NBC, 2009). Though taking time off from acting to direct the independent movie "Trust," Schwimmer was back in the news following his engagement to photographer Zoe Buckman, which the couple announced in March 2010.

Rachel Bilson biography

Name: Rachel Sarah Bilson

Birth date: 25 August 1981

Birth place: Los Angeles, California (USA)

Recidence: Los Angeles, Hollywood Hills

Profession: Actor

Education: Graduated from Walter Reed Middle School in 1996 and Notre Dame High School in 1999

Height: 5' 3"

Eye color: Brown

Hair color: Dark Brown

Family: Danny Bilson & Janice Stango

Siblings: Has a younger step-sister (born 2001) and several older brothers.

Favorite books: « Edie » par Jean Stein et George Plimpton

Favorite music: Bruce Springsteen, Billie Holiday, Jeff Buckley

Favorite actresses: Cameron Diaz, Katie Holmes, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore

Favorite actors: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Sean Penn

Favorite athletes: Corey Maggette of L.A. 's Clippers

Favorite designers: Coco Chanel, Stella McCartney

Favorite films/TV shows: "Goonies", "Welcome to Dollhouse", "Friends", "Sex and the city"

Favorite fashion labels: Chanel, Vintage

Interests: Shopping, Collecting vintage shoes and purses

Generations before Rachel Bilson was born on Aug. 25, 1981, her family established firm roots in the entertainment business. At the time of her birth, her father Danny was a budding screenwriter and director. His father Bruce had directed dozens of sitcoms and dramas throughout the 1960s and 70s, and her paternal great-grandparents George and Hattie were, respectively, the head of the trailer department at RKO and a screenwriter. With a natural flair for drama since she was born, it was natural that the youngest Bilson would also make inroads in Hollywood. Her first role came at seven years old, when she was cast alongside comedian Louie Anderson in the comedy "The Wrong Guys" (1988). She enjoyed a small stint in the comic book adaptation miniseries "The Human Target" (ABC, 1992) but did not go full-throttle for the child star life right away, maintaining a fairly normal Los Angeles upbringing. As a student at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Bilson took the stage regularly in both musicals and dramas including "Bye Bye Birdie," "Once Upon a Mattress," and "The Crucible."

Early life

Bilson was born in LA, California to a Jewish American father, writer/director/producer Danny Bilson, and a Philadelphia-born Italian American mother, sex therapist Janice Stango. Her father comes from a show business family; her great-grandfather, George Bilson, was the head of the trailer department at RKO Pictures, while her Brooklyn-born great-grandmother, Hattie Bilson, was a screenwriter and her grandfather, Bruce Bilson, is a film director. Bilson's parents divorced during her childhood, and in 1997, her father remarried Heather Medway, an actress and the mother of Bilson's half-sister Hattie (born December 19, 2001).

Career

Bilson attended Grossmont College in San Diego, but dropped out after one year, taking her father's advice to pursue a professional acting career and making several appearances in commercials, including advertisements for Raisin Bran and Pepto-Bismol. She made her screen acting debut in early 2003, appearing in episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, and in the short film, Unbroken. Bilson was subsequently cast in The O.C., which debuted in August of 2003. Her character, Summer Roberts, was initially intended to appear in only a few episodes, but became a series regular after a successful run, as Bilson's on-screen romance with Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) became a noted aspect of the series.

As a result of the success of The O.C., Bilson has become well-known among teenage audiences. At the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, Bilson collected three awards - "Choice Hottie Female", "Choice TV Actress (Drama)" and "Best Onscreen TV Chemistry" (jointly won with Adam Brody). In 2005, Maxim magazine named her sixth in their annual "Hot 100 List"; in 2006, the publication awarded her #14. The UK edition of FHM Magazine named her 28th in the 2006 100 Sexiest Women in the World list, while the US Edition Ranked her 77th in 2005. Bilson was also named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2006 People magazine.

Bilson's first film role was in The Last Kiss, a romantic comedy/drama also starring Zach Braff and Jacinda Barrett. In the film, which opened on September 15, 2006, Bilson plays a college student who seduces Braff's character. Bilson had long wanted to work with Braff, having admired the film Garden State, which he directed and starred in. A body double was used for the film's sexual scene between Bilson and Braff's characters, as Bilson specified that she "feel[s] really strong[ly]" about not appearing in a nude scene. One review of the film noted that Bilson played the role with "surprising depth", although another critic described her role as "Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction as an airhead valley girl with a hot bod".

Rachel Bilson has slowly but surely built up her acting resume. Following brief appearances in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter, she landed a role that left everyone talking: that of Summer Roberts on FOX's hit drama, The O.C. With the success of this show, Rachel Bilson became a hot commodity. She followed up that role with a part on the prime-time comedy Chuck and on the big screen in the thriller Jumper.

Lea Michele Biography

NAME: Lea Michele Sarfati

OCCUPATION: Theater Actress, Television Actress, Singer

BIRTH DATE: August 29, 1986 (Age: 25)

PLACE OF BIRTH: Bronx, New York

ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo

Synopsis

Lea Michele was born August 29, 1986 in Bronx, New York. Her career-making turn occurred in 2006 with Spring Awakening, a rock musical, but left the cast in 2008. Moving out to Los Angeles,Michele sought out movie and television roles. One of her aspirations at the time was to get a guest spot on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Michele ended up getting a much more substantial role on Glee.

Early Life

Actress. Born Lea Michele Sarfati on August 29, 1986, in Bronx, New York. Sarfati discovered her passion for performing at an early age. Growing up in Tenafly, New Jersey, she was drawn to nearby New York City's vibrant theater scene. At the age of 8, Michele landed the role of young Cosette in the Broadway production of Les Miserables. She sang a song from Phantom of the Opera, the only musical she knew at the time, at her audition. Michele had gone to the audition to support a friend, but ended up landing the part herself.

Glee

The creators and producers of the show, including Ryan Murphy, were impressed by Michele. Murphy told USA Today that the part was written especially for her. "I really believe in Lea's talent because her talent was once in a lifetime," he said. The role of an ambitious teenager who dreams of stardom appears to be a good fit for the actress. "Rachel is me when I was that age. She knows what she loves and who she is. She doesn't get caught up in what other people think is important," Michele told New York magazine. Her portrayal of Rachel earned Michele her first Emmy Award nomination in 2010.

Lea Michele's starring role on FOX's upcoming hour-long dark comedy Glee is the TV equivalent of a pipe bomb. She plays Rachel Berry, a character self-described as the "stunning young ingenue everyone roots for," a description in stark contrast to the hyper-ambitious girl self-obsessed with the idea of her own stardom that most everyone hates. Yet along with the many hilarious contradictions, Michele brings to the role killer comedic timing and an epic, orchestral set of pipes.

Lea Michele Relationships:

Landon Beard - Ex-significant Other

John Lloyd Young - Ex-significant Other

Edith Sarfati - Mother

Marc Sarfati - Father

Theo Stockman - Ex-significant Other

Lea Michele Awards:

]

2010 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee

2010 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee

2009 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Winner

2011 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Telelvision Series - Comedy or Musical - Nominee

2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Nominee

In the musical, which is based on a controversial 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, cowritten by Duncan Sheik (you remember Sheik's 1996 hit single "Barely Breathing," right?) and which has won eight Tony Awards, Lea Michele starred as the female lead Wendla. She has almost literally owned the role, from the show's very inception all the way to Broadway and mainstream success. The role of the young Wendla, which has made Michele a star of the stage, is a demanding one that requires more than your average Broadway sexual freakiness, including the wearing of a see-through nightgown, some nudity and participation in a little sadomasochism.

Heidi Klum Biography

NAME: Heidi Klum

OCCUPATION: Actress, Model, Reality Television Star, Television Producer

BIRTH DATE: June 01, 1973 (Age: 38)

PLACE OF BIRTH: Westphalia, Germany

ZODIAC SIGN: Gemini

Synopsis

Heidi Klum, born in 1973 in Germany, is a supermodel, actress, businesswoman, and television producer. She produces and hosts the award-winning reality television show Project Runway and has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. She is married to singer Seal. She also has her own line of jewelry, has designed shoes for Birkenstock, and clothing for the brand Jordache.

Personal Life

Shortly after the launch of Project Runway, Klum's life took another interesting turn. Her boyfriend Seal proposed to her on top of a glacier in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. They married the following May and welcomed son Henry Gunther Ademola Dashtu Samuel on September 12. Klum stunned many by returning to modeling in less than two months after her son's arrival, looking fabulous as part of the nationally televised Victoria's Secret fashion show. She and Seal expanded their family with one more son, Johan, on November 26, 2006.

Modeling Success

Model, actress, television host, designer, businessperson. Born on June 1, 1973, in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. Known for years as a leading model, Heidi Klum has become a popular television host and a successful businessperson. She started her modeling career at the age of 18 after winning a contest in her native Germany. Before this win, Klum had planned on becoming a designer.

After later moving to New York, Klum eventually landed work with the lingerie company Victoria's Secret, which helped raise her profile in the modeling world. Around this time, she married famous hairstylist Ric Pipino. (Their union ended in divorce in 2002.) Soon she appeared on the cover of the 1998 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, an honor coveted by many models. While her hourglass shape was not a fit for the runways, Klum became a fashion favorite, appearing in such magazines as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and Harper's Bazaar.

Always kissable klum

Presently signed with Elite Model Management, Heidi continues to model and pursue an acting career, which has blossomed in 2001. She made a cameo appearance in Sex and the City, sharing the runway with Sarah Jessica Parker. She also had a relatively large role in the 2001 comedy, Blow Dry (which she has a lot of experience with, thanks to her family, career and husband).

Known for her down-to-earth personality and her sense of humor (she even yodeled when she first appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman), Heidi married celebrity hairstylist Ric Pipino in 1997. The couple announced their separation in November 2002.

Heidi Klum has been a regular model for Victoria's Secret since 1997 and for Sports Illustrated since 1998 and an official Victoria's Secret Angel since 1999. She has appeared in a number of movies and television shows, and in 2004, she began hosting her own show, Project Runway. Heidi is the epitome of what it means to be a supermodel; that's probably why she has become one of the most recognizable and highest-paid models in the world.

Swimsuit Pinnacle

Klum snags the coveted cover spot on Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, becoming the first German to do so. The voluptuous, 5' 9 1/2" Klum is known for her killer body, but tells PEOPLE, "My smile is my favorite thing."

New Steady Plus Baby

With Klum's due date just a few months away, she splits from Briatore and is soon linked with British singer Seal. On May 4, she gives birth to 7-lb. 4-oz. daughter Leni in New York. A champagne toast with her parents and Seal – by now a frequent companion – marks the occasion. Of Seal, a Klum pal tells PEOPLE, "He was an amazing confidant for her during this period and supported her 100 percent."

Leighton Meester Biography

Birth Name: Leighton Marissa Meester

Birth Place: Marco Island, FL

Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 04/09/1986, Aries

Profession: Actor

Height : 5' 5" (1.65 m)

Leighton Meester Biography

Leighton Marissa Claire Meester (born April 9, 1986 in Marco Island, Florida) is an American actress, best known for her role in the book-based TV show Gossip Girl.

Meester became interested in acting when she appeared in a local production of The Wizard of Oz. When she was 11, she moved with her family to New York City and soon after began working as a model with Wilhemina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot by Bruce Webber and working with then-photographer Sofia Coppola.

Meester is best known as Savannah in the former NBC drama Surface. Other roles include guest starring as "Debbie Pendleton" on Season 4 of the FOX drama 24, as "Ali" in episode 3 and 4 of Season 3 of the FOX drama House, as "Carrie Bishop" on Season 1 of the UPN drama Veronica Mars, not Chandler's new girlfriend Kendall in Season 8 of the WB drama 7th Heaven, as well as the role of "Justine Chapin" in Season 1 of the HBO comedy Entourage.

After her television debut in 1999 playing Alyssa Turner in Law & Order, Meester appeared as a guest in two more series before landing her big role in the movie Hangman's Curse, based on the best-selling book by Frank Peretti. She appeared in Tarzan, which ran for only eight episodes. Meester then started to land guest roles in other series such as Crossing Jordan, 8 Simple Rules, 7th Heaven, Veronica Mars, 24, and Entourage.

In 2005, Meester began a regular role in the series Surface as Savannah Bennet. Meester appeared in two more 2006 movies, Flourish and Inside. She also guest appeared in Numb3rs and in three episodes of House M.D. as Ali, a young girl who has a crush on House.[9] She had guest roles on CSI: Miami and Shark, and played the female lead in the horror film Drive-Thru.

In 2007, Meester was cast in the CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl as Blair Waldorf.[9] The show is based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar about the lives of New York's privileged Upper East Side young adults. Her performance is the most critically acclaimed of the show, with Blair being cited as the series' breakout character, and also garnering much media recognition due to her wardrobe.[15][16] She dated Gossip Girl co-star Sebastian Stan.

Meester appeared on the television film The Haunting of Sorority Row, and played a part in the ensemble comedy/drama Remember the Daze. She also appeared in the horror/thriller film Killer Movie in 2008.

Meester had small roles in the 2010 comedies Date Night and Going The Distance.[18] She starred in Screen Gems' 2010 country drama Country Strong and the 2011 thriller The Roommate. [19] In 2011 she starred alongside Selena Gomez and Katie Cassidy in the young femme comedy Monte Carlo, loosely based on Jules Bass's young-adult book Headhunters. [20] She is set to star in The Uncatchable Cowgirl Bandits of Nottingham, Texas alongside Amber Heard; in the indie dramatic comedy The Oranges opposite Hugh Laurie; and she also joined the cast of the comedy I Hate You, Dad, alongside Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and Milo Ventimiglia.

Leighton moved to New York to live with her aunt and begin a modeling career when she was just eleven years old. She modeled for Ralph Lauren and was photographed by Sofia Coppola, who’s since gone on to become a major director of movies like Lost in Translation and Marie Antoinette. Two years later, Leighton landed her first acting gig on Law & Order then scored a starring role in her first movie, Hangman’s Curse, but her big break came in 2005 when she starred as an annoying teen named Savannah Bennet in the tv series, Surface. The show only lasted one season, but it scored her enough experience to land the role of a lifetime as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl.

Demi Lovato Biography

Famous as : Actress, singer

Birth Name :Demetria Devonne Lovato

Birth Date : August 20, 1992

Birth Place : Dallas, Texas, USA

Claim to fame : As Mitchie Torres in Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock" (2008)

Profile

Singer, actress. Demi Lovato was born on August 20, 1992, in Dallas, Texas. Lovato's mother, Dianna Lovato, was a former country music recording artist and Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. Lovato is the middle child of three sisters. Her older sister, Dallas, is also a singer and actress, and her younger sister, Madison, was born in 2002.

At the age of 10, Demi debuted her acting career when she played Angela in PBS' children television show "Barney and Friends". On the set of the TV show, she met Selena Gomez and the two became good friends. Over the next few years, she continued to pursue her love for acting and singing. Under the guidance of her mother, who is a former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and country recording artist, she appeared in a number of productions and contests throughout the state of Texas.

Growing up, Lovato won several talent contests and performed in famous venues, including the Eismann Center and the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day Half Time Show with LeAnn Rimes. She started her show business career in earnest at the age of 10 when she became a series regular on the children's television show Barney ?? Friends. After her stint on Barney ?? Friends, Lovato also guest starred on television dramas Just Jordan (2007) and Prison Break (2006).

In 2008, Lovato appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Camp Rock. She played Mitchie Torres, a fourteen-year-old girl with hopes of becoming a singer. The movie premiered on June 20 in the USA on Disney Channel. She recorded three songs for the Camp Rock soundtrack. She also covered "That's How You Know" on DisneyMania 6. She later signed a record deal with Hollywood Records. Her cover of "Wonderful Christmastime" is featured in All Wrapped Up.

Lovato's debut album Don't Forget was released on September 23, 2008 in the United States debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The Jonas Brothers co-wrote several songs with Lovato for this album.

During the summer of 2008, she performed as the Jonas Brothers' opening act for their Burning Up Tour. She competed on the Disney Channel Games for the third annual show. Subsequently, she appeared on the second show of Studio DC: Almost Live.

In an MTV interview, Lovato stated that she likes metal music, especially black metal and metalcore. She called symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir "one of her favorite live acts". However, she stated in a recent interview that she no longer listens to metal music, as she is in a happier place now, and listens to mellow music that inspires her writing. In the March 2009 issue of Teen Vogue, Lovato stated, "My first passion is music, because it comes naturally to me. Acting has been like a hobby." Lovato is best friends with Selena Gomez, whom she has known since Lovato "asked her to sit on my jacket and draw with crayons with me" at the Barney & Friends auditions. Lovato is also a Christian and prays with her band before she performs .

Currently, Demi Lovato is the star of her own Disney Channel television show called Sonny with a Chance. She started this show in 2009, filming 16 episodes for the first season. On July 21, 2009, Demi Lovato released her second studio album, Here We Go Again. She joined American Idol reality star David Archuleta's tour in the summer of 2009.

Pippa Middleton Biography

Born: 6 September 1983

Birthplace: Reading, Berkshire, England

Best known as: The sister of royal bride Kate Middleton

Name at birth: Philippa Charlotte Middleton

Born in 1983, Middleton is the second of the three children of Michael Middleton (born 1949), at the time a British Airways flight dispatcher, by his marriage in 1980 at Dorney to Carole Goldsmith (born 1955), a former flight attendant. Her father's family came from Leeds, in Yorkshire, and one of her great-grandmothers, called Olivia Lupton, belonged to a business family active in Leeds for generations. Through Olivia Lupton, her ancestors include The Rev. Thomas Davis, a Church of England hymn-writer. Carole Middleton's mother's family were labourers and miners from County Durham. The third child of the family is James William Middleton (born 1987), now a business man.

In the mid 1980s, when her two eldest children were at a pre-school and the family was living at Bradfield Southend, Middleton's mother set up 'Party Pieces', a company which began by making party bags and which now sells party supplies and decorations by mail order. By 1995 the firm, run by both parents, was so successful that it moved into a range of farm buildings at Ashampstead Common, and since then the Middleton parents are reported to have become millionaires.

Life.

Pippa Middleton Comes of Age

Ever since Pippa Middleton’s older sister, Kate, began dating Prince William, Pippa’s profile in the British media and around the world began to steadily rise. Painted by some as a voracious social climber with an insatiable appetite for attention, Pippa began surrounding herself with Britain’s elite. As a student at the University of Edinburgh, she moved in with George Percy, eldest son of the Duke of Northumberland, and Ted Innes-Ker, one of the Duke of Roxburghe's son, an aristocrat with strong ties to the royal family. Both Pippa and Kate’s unwavering social ambition earned.

84 Sex Appeal

Whether she likes it or not, Pippa Middleton is now the United Kingdom’s most sought after sex symbol. Thanks to the now infamous ivory bridesmaid dress that turned Pippa’s posterior into the most buzzed-about back end since Jennifer Lopez’s (a Facebook page devoted to her bum has over 160,000 followers), Middleton can expect to be hounded by Britain’s blood-thirsty paparazzi until she loses her youthful looks or settles down with one of her many suitors -- whichever comes first.

A Public Engagement

Life for the Middletons changes forever when Kate accepts William's proposal. "As you know, Catherine and Prince William have been going out for quite a number of years, which is great for us because we have got to know William very well," dad Michael tells reporters of his family's excitement over the royal engagement. "We wish them every happiness for the future."

Lady in Waiting

The royal family announces Pippa as Kate's maid of honor for her April nuptials. Pippa takes an active role in helping her big sis plan her royal wedding, and notably, planning her bachelorette party and reception, for which she reportedly requests disco balls.

Victoria Beckham biography

NAME: Victoria Beckham
OCCUPATION: Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer, Model, Singer
BIRTH DATE: April 17, 1974 (Age: 37)
EDUCATION: Laine Arts Theatre College
PLACE OF BIRTH: Hertfordshire, England
more about Victoria

Synopsis

After forming in 1993, each of the five members of the Spice Girls developed her own persona, with Victoria Beckham as "Posh Spice." They released their debut album, Spice, in 1996, and it sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Beckham later explored her love of fashion, developing a line of jeans called VB Rocks in 2004. In 2007, Beckham went on a reunion tour with the Spice Girls.

Early life

Beckham was born at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex and raised in Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire.[5] She is the second child of three children born to Jacqueline and Anthony Adams. Her father worked as an electronics engineer,[5] and he later founded an electronics wholesale business which allowed a comfortable upbringing for Victoria and her siblings,[1] sister Louise and brother Christian Adams.[6]

Beckham attended St. Mary's High School in Cheshunt. She was embarrassed by her family's wealth and often begged her father not to drop her off outside the school in their Rolls Royce.[7] Beckham was frequently bullied and often felt treated like an outsider. She later explained that she had never made any friends and the other children would throw rocks at her.[8]

In 1980, when Beckham was 7 years old, she watched the musical Fame and subsequently made the decision to pursue a music career.[9][10] Jacqueline and Anthony Adams enrolled her at Jason Theatre School.[1] In 1991, Beckham attended Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey and studied dance and modelling.[1][2] Eventually, she became a member of a band called Persuasion.

Spice Girls

Created by manager Chris Herbert, the band that would become known as the Spice Girls started rehearsing together. The final line-up came together by mid-1993 and consisted of Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, and Beckham. The group wanted more creative control and soon broke off with Herbert. They later signed with manager Brian Fuller and got a contract with Virgin Records.

Each of the five members of the Spice Girls developed their own persona: Melanie Brown was known as "Scary Spice"; Melanie Chisholm was "Sporty Spice"; Geri Halliwell was "Ginger Spice"; Emma Bunton was "Baby Spice"; and Beckham was "Posh Spice." They released their debut album, Spice, in 1996 and reached the top of American charts with the catchy dance-pop song "Wannabe" the following year. The follow-up single, "Say You'll Be There," climbed as high as number three on the Billboard 200 chart. The album eventually sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.

Marriage to David Beckham

Behind the scenes, Beckham's personal life was also thriving. She met soccer player David Beckham at a game in 1997, and the two soon became one of Britain's most popular couples, known in the tabloid as "Posh" and "Becks." They got engaged in 1998 and welcomed their first child together, son Brooklyn, in March 1999. That summer, the couple wed in a lavish ceremony at a castle in Ireland. Beckham invited television audiences inside her life with the reality special Victoria's Secrets, which aired on British television in 2000. She has been featured in several other reality programs since then.

Television

Beckham has shot five official documentaries. The first, dated 11 January 2000, was called Victoria's Secrets, a programme only shown in the UK on Channel 4. It involved Beckham being followed by cameras while also discussing and interviewing other British celebrities, such as Elton John.[52] The second, Being Victoria Beckham, was broadcast in March 2002 and saw Beckham discussing her career as a solo artist with the release of her first album, and also showed her at various photo shoots and recording sessions. The documentary attracted a strong audience of 8.83 million,[53] coming top in its timeslot.[54] One critic described her as "so clearly level-headed, happy with her not inconsiderable lot and seemingly unfazed by the madly intrusive nature of her monumentally ridiculous fame".[55] The third, The Real Beckhams, aired on 24 December 2003 on ITV1 and focused on the Beckhams' move to Madrid from London after David Beckham was signed to Real Madrid. It also featured Victoria Beckham re-launching her solo career and showed her mocking the tabloid stories she reads in the paper every day. The special received an audience of 6.10 million viewers[56] and was later released on DVD on 2 February 2004.