CelebrityWorld

James Galdolfini, who for six seasons played likeable mob boss Tony Soprano on the hit HBO series “The Sopranos”, carried out his biggest hit Saturday when he married his fiancee’, Deborah Lin.

The wedding was held at the Central Union Church in Lin’s hometown of Honolulu. Micheal Galdolfini, 8, son of the Soprans star and his first wife, Marcy Wudarsk, served as best man. The church was dressed with white lillies and rhododendrons, and a a harpist played “The Hawaiian Wedding Song” as the couple exchanged vows. Afterwards, they attended a receptiona at a private resort.

Galdolfini, 46, and Lin, a 40 year old former model, have been engaged since late 2007.

Michael Jackson has had most of his life documented by the paparazzi and scrutinized by the public, but he celebrated his 50th birthday Friday in much the same manner that he has lived over the past few years, reclusive and low key.

The man once dubbed the “King of Pop” has sold more than 750 million albums and won 13 Grammy Awards throughout his 40 years in show business, but said in a phone interview with “Good Morning America” that he’s  ”looking forward to doing a lot of great things. … I think the best is yet to come in my true humble opinion.”

The still popular superstar’s birthday celebration was in stark contrast to that of Madonna, who also turned 50 two weeks ago. The ”Material Girl” celebrated her birthday by embarking on an ambitous 50 city world tour to promote her new album, ”Sticky and Sweet”.

Once known as the worlds greatest entertainer, Jackson’s life has been anything but entertaining over the last couple of years. He’s gone through two high profile divorces,  has had to twice defend himself of child molestation charges, and he’s closed his famous “Neverland Ranch” due to financial problems.

He told GMA that the happiest times of his life was during the recording of his chart busting “Thriller” and “Off The Wall” albums. “That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world. You know, I enjoyed it very much,” he said.

Jackson said that as far as his birthday plans go, “I’ll just have a little cake with my children and we’ll probably watch some cartoons,” he said.

The 2008 Democratic National Convention is coming to a close in Denver, but based the number of the entertainment industry’s heavy hitters present, it could go down as the Woodstock of politics. It’s the biggest congregation of celebrities since the Academy Awards, but none shined brighter than the star of the show, Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama.

Obama gave his acceptance speech to more than 84,000 supporters crammed into Denver’s INVESCO Field, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, as millions more watched at home. His presence overshadowed such big name celebrities as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, and Jessica Alba.

Ben Affleck made an appearance at the city’s food bank for America’s Second Harvest, and read from a Howard Zinn at the Starz Green Room, as his wife, Jennifer Garner looked on. Stevie Wonder performed at the stadium, as did singer John Legend, and wil.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. Other performers included Sheryl Crow and Michael McDonald.

Others in attendance included Forrest Whitaker, Kanye West, Ashley Judd, Spike Lee, and Annette Benning.

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OK, so they may not share the same problems at the pump as you and I, but some celebrities are feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices. Hip Hop record producer sometime actor Diddy, says gas prices are cramping his lifestyle by causing him to ground his private jet.

Diddy complained in a video on his YouTube blog about having to travel commercially on American Airlines. “Even your boy is being affected by gas prices,” he ranted. “As you know, I do own my own jet and I have been having flying back and forth to L.A. pursuing my acting career. Now, if I’m flying back and forth like twice in a month, that’s like $200,000 or $250,000 round trip. I’m back on American Airlines right now. OK? Your boy Diddy right now is on American Airlines.”

Diddy filmed the video blog while at an airlines gate, just before boarding the plane. 

Things don’t seem to be getting any better in the world of hip hop. There has been more news in recent weeks of jail time and gun play, than there has been of hit records and mega tours. That trend continues, as the son of one of hip hops biggest entreprenuers has been found dead.

Andre Romelle Young Jr., son of rapper/producer “Dr. Dre”, was found dead Saturday in his Woodland Hills, California, home. Young’s mother says she found the 20 year old unresponsive in bed around 10:30am, and that he spent the previous evening with friends.

The cause of death has not yet been determined. An autopsy was performed on Monday, but the actual cause of death will not be announced until toxicology reports have been completed, which could take up to eight weeks.

                Susan Lucci                                     Toni Braxton

The all new “Dancing With The Stars” celebrity line-up was announced today, and as expected, it’s filled with beauty, grace, and brawn. Daytime Emmy Award winner Susan Lucci will compete with the likes of r & b singer Toni Braxton and the former boy band member from ‘N Sync, Lance Bass for the coveted title of best celebrity dancer.

A total of 13 celebrities have been recruited for the new season, which begins Sept. 22. But producers have also continued their pattern of casting for sentiment and the unexpected. Misty May-Treanor, who won an emotional second gold medal for beach volleyball in the recent summer Olympic Games in Beijing, and former NFL defensive lineman Warren Sapp, who last played football weighing over 300 pounds, are also in the line-up.

The rest of the contestants include Cloris Leachman, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, Ted McGinley, Brooke Burke,  former Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene, chef Rocco DiSpirito, “Hanna Montanna’s” Cody Linley and comedian Jeffrey Ross.

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She celebrated her 50th birthday last week, but the material girl show no signs of either slowing down or aging as she kicked off her ”Sticky & Sweet” tour in Cardiff, Wales. She opened her set sitting on a throne befitting the queen of pop while singing her latest hit, “Candy Shop”. She sang and danced her way through more than 25 years of hits, displaying the energy of an artist 25 years younger. A young fan from Cardiff named Morgan said, “I think she’s amazing, I want to be that way when I turn 50.”

Madonna surely did not disappoint. She covered hits which included “Like A Prayer,” “Into The Groove” and “Hung Up.” She drove around the stage in a white car and top hat, and appeared fit, performing in a black leotard.

Live Nation, who is promoting the tour, has scheduled more than 50 dates around the world. The tour runs until December 18, when it wraps up in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The promoters are expecting the tour to gross more than $250 million worldwide, and so confident in Madonna’s staying power that thy’ve signed her to a 10 year deal, reportedly worth more than $120 million.

Watch Madonna’s opening night clip here: http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=89514 

Rappers and jail time is beginning to sound like a never ending saga in the world of Hip Hop. Female rapper and Jermaine Dupri protege’ Da Brat, who’s real name is  Shawntae Harris, has been sentenced to serve three years behind bars for clubbing an Atlanta area woman in the head with a nearly-full rum bottle.

Atlanta Falcons cheerleader Shayla Stevens was working as a hostess for a private party at Atlanta area hotspot, Studio 72, when she got into an altercation with Da Brat. Words were exchanged between the two after they bumped into each other during the crowded affair. Moments after Stevens walked away, she was struck on the side of the face with the bottle, which opened a deep cut on her cheek and swelling on her her forehead. The cut has also left a permanent scar on her face.

The 34 year old rapper pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, and DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gail Flake sentenced her to three years behind bars and seven on probation. She must also serve 200 hours of community service, complete substance abuse treatment and anger management classes, and undergo a mental evaluation. She previously served 12 months on probation for for an incident in 2000, when she struck another woman in a bar. 

            Janet Jackson now wants you buy her underwear             

Her Super Bowl folly helped make the phrase wardrobe malfunction a household term, but now Janet Jackson wants you to see more of her underwear. The Grammy winning superstar has announced the launched of her new lingerie line, Plearsure Principle, named after her 1987 number one hit.

The singer has teamed up with Austrailian designer,  Bruno Schiavi, who has also designed a line of underwear for Priscilla Presley. Jackson insists that she has been intimately hands on with the project from conception to design ideas to marketing. She say the line will be lacy and sexy, and promises “You will see a lot of satin and lace combined and rich colors such as burgundy and beige, silver and peach as well as your classic black and white. It makes you feel incredible and offers variety as diverse as the women who will wear it.”

The Pleasure Principle line is set to hit U.S. department store in November, in time for the holiday buying season. It will later be launched in Austrailia, Japan, and Europe.

                              Matt Damon and wife, Luciana

It’s been a huge year for celebrity babies, and today’s announcements added three more celebrity newborns to the still growing list. The stork dropped a daughter into the lives of actor Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana, and singer Ricky Martin may no longer be “Livin’ la Vida Loca”, as he announced the birth of twin boys.

Gia Zavala Damon was born Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the Damons said that all are doing great, and that “She is a healthy, beautiful baby girl.” No further details were released about the delivery.

Martin’s sons were delivered were delivered “via gestational surrogacy,” and were actually born several weeks ago, according to the singers spokesman. The name of the surrogate mother has not been released, but the twins are doing fine and are already under Martin’s full time care. Martin will take time away from his career to raise his sons, the spokesman said.

And not to be outdone, actress Jennifer Garner and her husband, actor Ben Afleck announced today that they were also expecting. The couple, who already have a 2 year old daughter, Violet, recently plucked down $16 million for a new home in LA’s upscale Brentwood neighborhood.