Sasha Grey's filmography

Though just 21, Grey has performed in more than 150 pornographic films. But at Tribeca, she stars in Steven Soderbergh's 'The Girlfriend Experience' - which premiered with much anticipation at the festival Tuesday evening.

In it, Grey plays a US$2,000-an-hour (S$2,975) escort whose Manhattan customers are mostly Wall Street executives stressed by their falling fortunes.

'The Girlfriend Experience' is his second film in a six-movie deal with Mark Cuban's cable station HDNet. On May 22, it will be released in limited theatres and air on HDNet.

Like his first such 'day-and-date' film, 2005's 'Bubble,' Soderbergh cast mostly nonprofessional actors in similar situations as their characters in 'The Girlfriend Experience.' He encouraged improvisation and shot quickly last October.

Soderbergh became interested in Grey after reading about her in Los Angeles Magazine; he says the article showed how different she was from her industry colleagues. Such a casting decision is automatic publicity for a small film like 'The Girlfriend Experience' - a benefit Soderbergh doesn't dispute.

'I'm counting on it,' he says. 'This girl has a huge following. Most of whatever discussion that's going on is totally based on her... She's kind of a new breed. There hasn't been anyone exactly like her in that business yet. She's not the normal adult film star.'







Grey, who grew up in Northern California, became a porn star at 18. She also has modelled for American Apparel clothing and gotten into music, including singing for the reggae musician Lee 'Scatch' Perry.

In her porn films, Grey is known for pushing the boundaries of normal sexual acts. She maintains she's always in control - a trait Soderbergh believes suits her character in 'The Girlfriend Experience.' There are no sex scenes in the film, but Soderbergh believes she has an unmistakable ease in sexual situations.

Grey is far from the first porn star to move into mainstream or indie cinema. Jenna Jameson became somewhat mainstream thanks to a best-selling autobiography and film roles. Traci Lords was a young porn star before forging a full career as a TV and film actress. -- AP

World's sexiest woman in a magazine poll

Transformers actress Megan Fox has been named the world's sexiest woman in a magazine poll.


The 22-year-old American star was voted top in the FHM poll as a new entry, taking the title from last year's winner, actress Jessica Alba.


Alba came second on the poll, while British glamour model Keeley Hazell took third place.

Now in its 14th year, the poll to find the top 100 sexiest women saw nearly 10 million votes cast globally.

Movie star Elisha Cuthbert finished fourth on the list, with Heroes cheerleader Hayden Panettiere fifth, completing the top five in the poll.

"Megan Fox is a very deserving winner of this year's FHM title," Anthony Noguera, FHM's editor-in-chief said.









"From out of nowhere, she's captured the hearts - and fantasies - of British men to capture the number one slot. With such incredible competition, and after just one major film role, that is an amazing achievement."

But Kate Moss dropped out of the top 100 altogether. The model was number 68 in the poll last year and singer Jennifer Lopez - who won in 2001 and 2002 - also did not make the cut.










There were 23 new entries in the top 100 this year, including soprano Katherine Jenkins at 83 and Location Location Location presenter Kirstie Allsopp at 91.

Cole is 'world's sexiest woman'

Girls Aloud and X Factor star Cheryl Cole has been named the world's sexiest woman by readers of FHM magazine.

Cole, who told a magazine published this week she hates being thin and is nicknamed "flatty batty", knocked last year's winner Megan Fox into second.

The singer, 25, is the first Briton to top the annual chart in three years.

Following an online campaign by fans, Britney Spears moved from number 31 to fourth place. British actress Anna Friel secured a place at number nine.

Cole, who was named as the world's best dressed woman by Glamour magazine earlier this month, came seventh in last year's poll.







2007 winner Jessica Alba dropped one place to number three while Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto was a new entry at number 10.

Antique Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce also made it into the top 100, charting at number 98.

Nearly 10 million votes were cast globally in the poll, now in its 15th year.

Rihanna wants bling back

Rihanna's lawyer had repeatedly request the return of the designer items - three rings and a pair of earrings - which are being held by the police department as evidence. -- PHOTO: AFP

LOS ANGELES - POP star Rihanna has requested the return of US$1.4 million (S$2.09 million) worth of jewellery taken by police the day she was allegedly assaulted by boyfriend Chris Brown.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday that the singer's lawyer had repeatedly request the return of the designer items - three rings and a pair of earrings - which are being held by the police department as evidence.

The Barbados-born singer had intended to wear the items to the Grammy music awards, which she did not attend because of the alleged assault by her R&B star boyfriend.



'The investigating officer gave me his opinion that photographs would be sufficient, and the District Attorney said to write her a letter and they'd consider returning it,' said lawyer Donald Etra.

He added that the owners of the jeweller where repeatedly demanding their return. -- AFP

Madonna named Hollywood’s hardest working mum

NEW YORK, April 25 — With earnings of US$110 million (RM396 million) in 2008, Madonna topped Forbes' list of Hollywood's hardest working mothers, followed by actresses Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The pop singer and mother of three, who was recently turned down in her bid to adopt a second child from Malawi, grossed US$105 million on her tour and sold nearly a million albums in the United States. Madonna also signed several lucrative endorsement deals last year, according to Forbes.com.

"She had an incredible year in 2008," said Lauren Streib who helped to compile the list that was released yesterday.

"She had the top tour of any musician... The tour sold out around the world. So it wasn't surprising as much as it is a commentary on how successful her year was," she said.

Witherspoon, who earned an estimated US$24 million last year, was second on the list, followed closely behind by Paltrow with US$20 million in earnings.

In addition to her film career and raising daughter Ava and son Deacon, Witherspoon, who is divorced from actor Ryan Phillippe, is also the international spokeswoman for the cosmetics company Avon.

Paltrow's role in the blockbuster comic book film "Iron Man," which earned US$580 million worldwide, and her endorsements for Estee Lauder and shoe and handbag maker Tod's propelled her to the third spot.

Streib said the list is based on estimated earnings of Hollywood mothers with at least one child. Earnings include album sales, salaries, box-office grosses and endorsements and licensing deals.

She added that for many of the women on the list endorsement deals are a significant part of their earnings.

"I think this is something that has been going on for decades now. We are seeing less and less models and more and more celebrity spokespeople. It is a big part of the business of being a celebrity," she added.

Mother of three Julia Roberts, who returned to the big screen in a starring role in the film "Duplicity," captured the fourth spot on the list, while actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who has a son with husband Matthew Broderick, rounded out the top five.

Angelina Jolie, who has six children but still earned US$14 million last year, came in sixth, followed by model and television presenter Heidi Klum, who is pregnant with her fourth child.

Best actress Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, who has two children, and singer and mother of three Faith Hill also made the list, which is posted at www.forbes.com. — Reuters

Lindsay wants to go topless

Troubled celebrity Lindsay Lohan (left) apparently wants to be a part of a racy Las Vegas burlesque show --PHOTO: AP

LAS VEGAS - TROUBLED celebrity Lindsay Lohan apparently wants to be a part of a racy Las Vegas burlesque show said reports on Wednesday.

The actress attended the grand opening of Peepshow, starring former Spice Girl Mel B, and met the topless show's director Jerry Mitchell reported Bang Showbiz.

It is believed Lindsay is keen to take over from Mel's co-star Kelly Monaco in a bid to resurrect her fading career.

A source told Fox News: "Lindsay is in official negotiations to take over from Monaco.



"People forget that Lindsay is a triple threat - she can act and sing and dance. She feels that this would really revitalise her career." -- AFP

Kylie spends $82k on anti-ageing

Australian popstar Kylie Minogue (left) has spent more than $82,000 on an anti-ageing spa break in Spain. --PHOTO: AP


LONDON - AUSTRALIAN popstar Kylie Minogue has spent more than $82,000 on an anti-ageing spa break in Spain said reports on Monday.

The 40-year-old singer, who recently confessed to having tried Botox, has spent two seven-night breaks at the SHA Wellness Clinic, in the Sierra Helada Natural Park, during the past six months.

The News of the World newspaper in Britain said the singer indulged in a range of treatments, including a $6000 facial, and was fed a macrobiotic diet to help her body's ongoing recovery from cancer.

"She loved it here and sees looking after herself inside and out as a wise investment," a clinic source told the newspaper.

"She had six months of chemotherapy after her cancer was diagnosed and this clinic not only allows her to hide away so she can have beauty treatments but also makes sure her body is healthy too.





"She had lots of massages and hydrotherapy treatments, but Kylie was there for the macrobiotic food and rejuvenation therapies."

Minogue, who has been dating 31-year-old Spanish model Andres Velencoso, ate a diet of raw fruit, vegetables and brown rice during her stays and signed up for the "integral facial rejuvenation" package.



The facial is designed to help smooth "expression wrinkles" and return "the healthy and young appearance to the skin". The treatment involves a patient having their own blood platelets injected under the skin to help stimulate skin cells to produce collagen, elastin and retain water molecules.

"It is not cosmetic surgery but the effects are amazing," the clinic source said.

However, Minogue's wrinkle-free skin and diminishing facial expressions have raised questions over whether the star has gone under the knife to hold back the years.

While she claims she hasn't, Minogue told Elle magazine this month she has tried Botox. She said she no longer has the cosmetic injections because of her 2005 breast cancer battle. -- AAP

Carmen's the bust neighbour in the world

CARMEN ELECTRA's neighbours must be permanently peering over their fence.

The former Baywatch beauty is in her garden again modelling her latest swimwear range.

This cut-away cossie might leave a dodgy tan-line but she wears it well, to say the least.

Carmen's recently been included in celeb fitness trainer FEDELE DE SANTIS' list of the Top 10 beach bodies.

Fedele said: "Her stomach has just the right tone on the sides and softness in the middle to maintain that feminine look."



That's one way of putting it...

Sweet as Candie

BRITNEY SPEARS scrubs up well for her latest Candie's shoot - thanks to a bit of airbrushing.

The singer poses in an array beachwear for the fashion chain who signed her up as the face of their label last year.

However, her toned figure appears to have received a bit of help from computer wizards.

Although Britney has been working hard in the gym to get in shape for her tour, it's hard to believe she's quite this flawless.

This recent picture, below, of the Circus singer on stage contrasts heavily to the Candie's pics.

She maybe in good shape, but her tummy and legs don't quite match up.




Someone's telling porkies...