CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR ALL
1 Fact: 1 billion people do not have clean drinking water. Where: Africa and India are most affected.
The threat: More people are lost in the world through this situation than war.
The solution: We can make a difference through UNICEF Tap Project. If you want to, please do.
True fact 2: For as little as $10, one person can have clean drinking water for a lifetime.
That’s like a beer at a Hollywood club with the tip. Amazing aye! Act. Bump this post on too. Let’s flow. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.25.10~
IS SIMON COWELL TOO HARD ON HIS STAFF?
Ellis Watson was the CEO of Syco Productions (Simon Cowell‘s production company). He signed up in March. Already he’s quitting that b*tch job–as we’d say in L.A.
I wonder what happened? Poor Ellis. Let’s hope Cowell can find someone just as good or better to keep his entertainment brands and productions going.
Meanwhile, Cowell is being touted in the future list of Poms to be knighted in the UK for 2011.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.20.10~
REBECCA FERGUSON OF X FACTOR SINGS SHOW ME LOVE
Rebecca Ferguson is so cute singing on The X Factor. Adorable.
TV Presenters: Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole The Geordie of Newcastle on Tyne and Dannii Minogue.
Rebecca shows promising depth of soul in her voice from the U.K. Very Baby Aretha Franklin in her sound. Sing it sista!
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.4.10~
JULIANNE HOUGH SAYS ROMANCING RYAN SEACREST COULDN’T SUIT HER BETTER
Ryan Seacrest plays young Julianne Hough’s star maker. Chivalry is alive and well in Young Hollywood.
Julianne Hough makes big headlines today in America, on the back of Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson‘s big engagement of the American celebrity calendar, just recently being eclipsed by the announcement of a Royal Wedding of the Century in Prince Willam Windsor and Kate Middleton‘s news. Windsor and Middleton met while Kate was an Art History student at St. Andrews college in Scotland and Prince William was studying Geography. Julianne met Ryan on Hollywood’s entertainment TV show circuit here in Los Angeles.
Here’s eight things about Julianne Hough’s press today:
On dating Ryan Seacrest: Julianne, a Morman-raised lassie, 22, says this of her E! News and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest in the dating department:
“We are very compatible,” the dancer newly-turned country singer, acknowledges of her relationship with Ryan. “Everything’s wonderful.”
On prioritizing who’s important in life:“The things that matter most to me, you just make time for,” she tells People. “I could not be happier.”
On why dating Ryan is different to anyone else Hough’s dated: “People I have dated in the past, even though they have had a status of some sort, it was never like this,” she says. “But when it’s worth it, it’s worth it.”
Dating anyone high profile, when you’re in the celebrity game, is ‘worth it’ so Hough’s comments are honest in this regard here in Hollywood.
Where Ryan and Hough have been spotted in the past: The duo, have been cited publicly together in The City of Angels, Nashville and also on a yacht trip overseas.
Hough’s prior dates? Country star Chuck Wicks was who Hough dated briefly in a high profile Hollywood way, just before she announced she was following in Taylor Swifts show biz shoes and was switching from dancing to country singing in pursuit of her American dream to be a country singer. Wicks was her bridge to announce this news and make it seem feasible to her ‘dance crazed’ fan base. She’s a smart girl. A year ago, Hough split from Wicks citing that her ‘career should be her focus.’
On her debut movie role in Burlesque with Cher and Christina Arguilera: “It was really fun, my first movie role, and it was a great transition. I got to sing and dance and do all that. I’m definitely different. I hope you can recognize me. I’ve got red hair and I’m pregnant. But it’s fun. It’s definitely like a ‘who’s that?’ kind of thing,” says Hough.
Family show biz connections: Julianne’s brother Derek Hough is a big star of Dancing with the Stars reality TV fame here in Hollywood. He’s often scene teaching young girls how to dance here at a local dance studio in West Hollywood. Britain’s no.1 socialite girl, Cheryl Cole credits Derek’s friendship(pictured) in getting her through her high profile divorce recently. Simon Cowell is both Cheryl Cole and Ryan Seacrest’s good friend, who he appeared (or appears) on talent judging shows with both in America and The UK. The Hough-Seacrest-Cowell-Cole friendships are very strong in good cross-cultural blending of Britain and America show biz stars.
Music: Wildfire is the name of Julianne‘s new album. Her new single from this sophomore effort, is co-written by Sarah Buxton –titled Is That So Wrong –it is steadily climbing the charts as I write, here in the US. The song can be listened to below. Navigating life, is never easy for the youth of today. Julianne’s doing more than okay. Go Julianne Hough! I wonder if Seacrest and Hough will go to Waitangi and Paihia of The Bay of Islands, New Zealand for one of the most romantic and private vactioning spots known at this stage, to only a select few in the world.
This version of Is That So Wrong filmed by a fan, while Hough performed the song at Omaha. :) Enjoy. It’s cool to see Julianne singing live. Many stars don’t these days in America, so I like it that Hough is.
[This image of Julianne and Christina Arguilera via Access Hollywood]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.16.10~
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION AND SIMON COWELL’S TIGHT CONTROL OF GOOGLE SEARCH RESULTS
Simon Cowell has come under fire lately, for hiring an S.E.O company (or companies), to realter google’s news ordering of articles and comments about him and his star branding. This story only adds to the fact, that fame costs. No matter which way it is achieved. Google’s front page listing is prime real estate of any category under any key world field, for future business. So Cowell is a smart guy to recognize this in his marketing.
The New York Daily News takes the view that hiring S.E.O companies like Cowell does is cheating in the fame game because Cowell ensures that only the good stories about him, make google’s top ranking first pages lists, while all of the not-s0-good articles are stacked way at the back of the search engines listings of pages.
In my book, if you have the dosh to throw around, Cowell is very smart. It’s called good star branding management to use S.E.O to accentuate your best sides, while trying to bury the not-so-kind aspects of your personality on google.
The truth is, all fame is manufactured. Google is the central hub, where fame trickles into.
Realtering your shop window is a wise move, to last longer in fame’s illusive online waters. Sharks always abound (many jealous) who seek to chomp or harm, people with a spotlight.
Cowell makes sure he has watch dogs who look after his own interests and name. Namley S.E.O companies. S.E.O companies in the U.S, often hire teams of people (usually our friends in India sitting at computers all day and night), that American S.E.O companies often act as ‘middle people outsourcing signed S.E.O clients to at a cheaper rate of labor to India. With this in mind, India is often creating the ‘American celebrity,’ fame rankings, not America per se.
[This image: President Obama meets Panama Canal's U.S Coast Guard, while he makes a decision not to take his shirt off to swim in oil-ravaged Gulf waters, courtesy of NY Daily News]
SIMON COWELL IS LOOKING VERY GREEK TODAY
Yachts. Ciggie. Chest hair. Simon Cowell is looking so Greek today. Too funny!
[Image courtesy of Wenn.com]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.7.2010~
YOU’RE GONNA RISE UP SINGING by LEONA LEWIS
“One of these mornings, you’re gonna rise up singing. Then you spread your wings and fly to the sky.”–George Gershwin.
About four years ago, a little girl from the UK with a good set of pipes, sung for Simon Cowell in a then unproven TV talent contest, called The X Factor.
Her name was Leona Lewis. (more…)
SIMON COWELL IS GETTING AN EMMY – WOOT!
Simon Cowell may be exiting American Idol but the Brit has given a lot to American cultural life. According to the Hollywood Reporter Cowell is going to be rewarded with this years International Emmy Founders Award.
Congratulations!
[Image of Simon Cowell courtesy of Aussie Media]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.25.2010~
THE HORIWOOD TOP 10 – TUES 3.9.2010
Love is stronger than War: Simon Cowell gives Mezghan Hussainey a kiss on the Jay Leno show. Here’s your top ten celebrity, entertainment and trending topics today in Hollywood. Enjoy!
1. Kathryn Bigelow‘s historic Oscars winning moment
2. The villainess & the box office champ: Linda Hamilton for James Cameron
3. Ryan O’Neal reacts to Farrah Fawcett ‘s Oscars 2010 snub
4. King of Rock: Simon Cowell puts a ring on it at 50
5. Madonna messes with Jennifer Aniston ‘s favorite toy
6. Jennifer Hudson and The Jonas Bros party with Sir Elton John
7. Vintage: Twilight Jacob Black by Taylor Lautner
8. 10 Things about billionaire Christopher Chandler
9. Laughter by Angelina Jolie and Shiloh Jolie Pitt
10. Jeff Bridges Oscars 2010 Best Actor speech
Bonus Post: Christina Hendricks Oscars 2010
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.9.2010~
KING OF ROCK: SIMON COWELL PUTS A RING ON MEZHGAN HUSSAINEY
Not that’s what you call rocking it out in love, as American Idol’s grumpiest judge, gets all mushy and romantic with his new fiance, Mezhgan Hussainey – buying her an engagement rock to declare his love.
Simon Cowell is such a British gentleman, off-screen. Look at the size of that thing! Already showman Cowell is proving that the best storyline of American Idol, in his final year as a judge, is going to be Cowell’s big love story. Too funny.
[Image courtesy of Splash]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.1.2010~
LOVE IS BETTER THAN WAR: SIMON COWELL IS ENGAGED TO MEZHGAN HASSAINY
With Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell’s alleged American Idol judges feud, taking up headlines this week, in an effort for Fox Network to chomp some of Simon’s star glow as he exits the hit music show after 9 seasons serving the best music talent to American AI audiences and markets. The ploy by Fox to taint Cowell in the eyes of their viewing audiences, before he can start his own rival talent shows, did not forsee Simon Cowell’s ability to stay one step ahead of the game.
His camp has announced that Mezhgan Hassainy has confirmed that she is engaged to the famous UK talent judge. Cowell, 50, met Afghan-born make-up artist Hassainy on the set of Idol a few years ago. The couple are very much in love and are very close.
Love always sells better than war. Emotions are better spent loving than fighting. Hatred and war are often a result of misguided and frustrated emotions, more often than not. Cowell’s a smart cookie–getting away from Fox Network’s rather torrid casting of him in his final AI season; and perhaps in the process, Simon is even wisely preserving his good friendship with the lovely Ellen DeGeneres in the process long term also. 
ELLEN VS SIMON COWELL: AMERICAN IDOL 2010
For where American Idol 2010 has started off key. Go here for improvements and suggestions to the hit show, for Ellen deGeneres and Simon Cowell to realign Idol to a new level of entertainment relevance for audiences and talent.
MUSIC INDUSTRY RESPECT & RELEVANCE: AMERICAN IDOL’S ELLEN VS SIMON & BOY CONTESTANT DISSING RHETORIC 2010
American Idol is back in full swing. Ellen DeGeneres says Simon Cowell is so controlling that she wants to sit down the other end of the judges desk from him, so he can’t touch her knees anymore. It was a joke played out on Tuesday night, and Cowell’s look on his face was like… whatever! Meanwhile Ellen’s daytime ratings through her Idol moonlighting gig, have seen a 12% surge, proving the woman who works two jobs, will get ahead, no matter what… if they suck it up and do the work. Good for her!
As Oprah bows out of daytime talk in 2011, Ellen is set to be the leading contender of daytime talk shows to be America’s next Queen of talk show TV as the ratings currently sit. Even Mo’Niques potential Oscar win, could not compete against Ellen if Mo’Nique sought to become the next Oprah of American daytime talk.
[Image of Elle and Simon courtesy of NY Daily News... keep reading below]
ENGLISH MANNERS: SIMON COWELL ON ELLEN DEGENERES
Simon Cowell can be such an English gentleman. When quizzed about his thoughts on Ellen DeGeneres whose chomping at the bit for Simon’s top job, up for grabs on American Idol, Cowell says:
“I’ll tell you why I think Ellen was a good choice: She actually is very responsible for people she has performing on her own show. I know that for a fact, because I’ve dealt with her as a record label. And she loves music, and she’s been an artist.”
Cowell is right. Ellen is a fearless artist. I mean, who else, except Beyonce would dare to duet with a power voice like, Jennifer Hudson… but Ellen did.
She rocks.
THE HORIWOOD TOP 10 – FRI 2.12.2010
The Simon Cowell produced Everybody Hurts is on Commonwealth nations minds for Haiti today. Here’s your top ten from the City of Angels today. Enjoy!
1. Lady Gaga is the Captain of The Ship for Amfar fundraising.
2. Did pharmaceutical companies cost Obama popularity over Health Care?
3. Jackie Chan gives $730,000 to Haiti. What a guy!
4. Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen dies at 40
5. Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili dies training at 21
6. New Music: Love Song by Phoenix Phenom
7. Valentine’s Day red carpet film premiere Hollywood
8. Silly: Jennifer Garner talks orgasmic dolphins. Say what?!
9. How heavy metal and book reading can help ADHD peeps
10. Kendra Wilkinson has heat!
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.12.2010~
NEW MUSIC: HELPING HAITI EVERYBODY HURTS
As reported, UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, asked Simon Cowell, to produce a charity music track for Haiti. Cowell chose REM‘s Everybody Hurts for the track.
Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Kylie Minogue, Rod Stewart are on the track. Robbie Williams sounds amazing on it.
The song could have done with some Andrae Crouch vocal direction for the song’s finale. Andrae is the singer, who co-created the vocal arrangements of Man In the Mirror for Michael Jackson. Everybody Hurts lacks the big finale and uplfit, utilizing all of the voices involved that Crouch could have given the song, but I still like it and it is for a good cause. A nice effort from Cowell and friends.
Here’s the cover artwork and the music. The song can be pre-ordered here.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.2.2010~
POP STARS SHOW SIMON COWELL THEIR LOVE FOR HAITI
When British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, called Simon Cowell to produce a charity single for Haiti with the UK Sun, Simon did not expect the great outpouring of love from American pop stars as well as his British peers of music back home.
Cowell has selected REM‘s Everybody Hurts song as the big Haiti Fundraiser single to cover and sell.
British pop stars recording on the single are: Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Take That, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé, Westlife, Alexandra Burke, James Morrison, Mika and James Blunt.
American stars of great generosity expected to record on the project are Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z and Bon Jovi.
Within Love, there is no ego only unity. This result is amazing as the stars of music love a cause bigger than themselves and give freely from their talents and hearts. Haiti has become a catalyst for people to love the world as Simon Cowell’s project shows. No one is more humbled than Simon to observe this unified effort.
MUSIC BUZZ: SIMON COWELL OFFERS ROBERT PATTINSON A RECORD DEAL
Rumor has it that Simon Cowell wants to turn Robert Pattinson into the next big thing of music. Cowell has reportedly offered Pattinson a big record deal.
Future Knights of the British Order need to roll together I suppose. Full creds to Simon Cowell for seguing RP into his mix and entertainment brand. Way to grow a super brand quicker.
[Image of Robert Pattinson courtesy of INFDaily.com]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 1.23.2010~
UK LOVE: SIMON COWELL PRODUCES MUSIC FOR HAITI
The Sun of the UK, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Simon Cowell have joined forces to record a charity single music track for the Sun’s Helping Haiti campaign effort.
Prime Minister Brown is waving the taxes so that all profits go to the Haitian people.
Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Robbie Williams, Lady Gaga, Wyclef Jean are all on board the effort. Says Cowell:
“I wanted to do something for Haiti so when I had calls from The Sun and the Prime Minister asking if I would get involved I agreed immediately…We are going to do a single. We only made the decision today. I have got to get it together in 48 hours.”
Wow! That’s awesome. I’m impressed Simon Cowell is a real music producer. He really is producing music. David Foster would come in handy about now.
It’s nice to see Beyonce, Jay-Z and Gaga support Simon and the UK for Haiti. Must be quite reassuring for Cowell as Simon gets set to leave American Idol in 2011 and head out solo on his own. To honor one’s national leader is a good thing indeed.
Nice one Mr Cowell… the Knighthood is coming your way! :)
[Simon Cowell image courtesy of Ear Sucker Blog]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 1.20.2010~
2011: X FACTOR VS AMERICAN IDOL BY SIMON COWELL
Yes it is true. Simon Cowell really is leaving American Idol and will bring X Factor to America.
As Simon shows the courtesy of negotiating with Fox Network to bring the X Factor to the USA for weeks, many fear that Idol will suffer if Cowell is not at the helm.
SUSAN BOYLE HAS “CAT LADY” MERCHANDISE UP FOR GRABS
Simon Cowell would even sell his own mother and her cat to make a buck. He’s not a top agent/ manager of music artists for nothing.
Anyway… the latest is that Susan Boyle even has “cat lady” branding and merchandizing up for grabs. If you are a fan of SuBo, go to her online store to order this tee shirt.
These are bound to be a big hit with the millions of I Can Has Cheezburger cat-crazed online-audience in the world.
Online viral marketing is the secret to SuBo’s success, so this is a smart move from the Cowell camp. Who would have thought that Boyle’s Scottish kitty cat, Pebbles, would have been able to churn out a million dollars of merchandizing for Boyle and Cowell. That’s amazing. :)
SIMON COWELL WILL EXIT AMERICAN IDOL IN 2010
Radar Online is reporting, that Simon Cowell will be exiting American Idol at the end of 2010.
Now that Cowell is a household American and British talent show judge, a proven manager of already talented singers he sites on the shows he appears on, he can safely leave American Idol.
Cowell has Susan Boyle’s fame in his hands, Boyle being the biggest selling female artist on the planet in history for a debut album. He also has Leona Lewis, who before Boyle was the UK’s biggest selling debut artist also. Simon only appeared on a talent show, to best be situated to nab the best talent emerging in the world, and sign to his own company to manage their careers. He’s sort of bored with that now.
What will Cowell do next. My prediction is that Simon Cowell perhaps will partner with Oprah Winfrey to create talent shows. Oprah has partnered with Tyler Perry to executive produce films. She also will partner with Cowell to produce talent shows. What a winning combo for both Winfrey and Cowell to create the next wave of talent in the world. Global domination is ahead for these two from the West.
SIMON COWELL TO AIR A SUSAN BOYLE THIS IS IT DOCUMENTARY
Simon Cowell is that little British man, who convinced America that he could spot talent. The truth is, talent already has talent before they ever even meet Cowell. Simon capitalizes on an artists talent to remain a fat cat. He’s extremely convincing at it.
Entertainment Tonight reports that Cowell wants to turn Scottish singing sensation, Susan Boyle‘s life story into a Michael Jackson-esque This Is It styled documentary with the TV Guide Network. Simon (or his stand in, not allowed any credit person) has actually made the doco already.
TV Guide Network will premiere the film called I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story on December 13 at 8 p.m.
The doco better star Susan’s cat Pebbles in the lead role with Susan, as Boyle’s talent blossomed as she sung everyday alone around her Scottish apartment singing to Pebbles the cat, and not Cowell. I joke! But the doco should. This is the story of a forgotten cat lady who got discovered when she put herself in a talent show and her voice changed the world. (more…)
STING IS A B*TCH TODAY TO SIMON COWELL
Talking to People Magazine, here’s what pop star Sting has to say about Simon Cowell‘s X Factor talent show in the UK.
Says Sting: “It’s a preposterous show, and you have judges who have no recognizable talent apart from self-promotion… Basically I was looking at televised karaoke where they conform to stereotypes. It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music.”
