Spins, spreads and pole positions

Upside down...this dancer slid down with her legs spread open while balancing on the pole

They slid up the pole and did their awesome stunts - fireman spins, cross-leg slides, hooks and some sexy stuff that even striptease pros would be proud of.

They also thrilled the crowd with their acrobatics. Some spread their legs up to 180 degrees while gripping on to the pole.

And they seemd to do all this effortlessly, much to the amazement of spectators.

Such was the performance of finalists at the Pole Idol competition in the clublounge NEO at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur Saturday night.

None of the women was wearing thongs to expose chunky cheeks but the ladies in pole positions were nevertheless sexy in their two-piece sequined and bejewelled outfits.

Out of the 11 participants, two were men. One showed off a well toned frame while the other thrilled the crowd in his basketball shorts, matching red T-shirt and Nike shoes.

While dressing helped the contestants earn extra marks, it was the finalists’ flexibility, confidence and poise that got the judges’ attention.

Japanese participant Naoko Enomoto, 29, an IT engineer from Singapore, stole the show with her slick and sprightly moves on the pole to emerge as the Pole Idol 2009 grand champion.

She has only been a pole dancer for six months but her 15-years training in ballet gave her an edge over the others.

Naoko who also does contemporary dance in Singapore was speechless when she was named the top winner.

“It was definitely difficult when I ventured into pole dancing but I was inspired to learn the dance after watching a video of World Pole Dance Champion 2009 Felix Cane.

“When I first started I had bruises on my legs. It was painful because you have to learn how to slide up and down and grip your legs on the pole.

“It was a small sacrifice to make but the constant hours of practicing made me better as a pole dancer,” said the soft spoken Naoko who only sent in a video entry of herself for eligibility to the contest.

Naoko Enomoto, 29, an IT engineer from Singapore emerged as the champion

Australian Samantha Lee, 27 who also works in Singapore as a dance instructor teaching jazz, hip hop and salsa was first runner-up.

Naoko will be the Malaysian representative to the Asian Pole Summit in November.

The first ever Pole Idol 2009 was put together by Time Out KL and Expatriate Lifestyle magazines and The Hanging Garden.

Freida Pinto wants Angelina adoption

FREIDA Pinto wanted Angelina Jolie to adopt her.

The 'Slumdog Millionaire' actress admits she was in awe of the Oscar-winning beauty - who has six children, three of whom are adopted - the first time they met.

She said: "I think she's a lovely person who is there for people who are just starting off, for starters like me.

"I remember when I met her at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and she said, 'Just enjoy this because you never know if it's going to happen again.'

"She's a lovely lady. I don't know what else she said to me, but I wanted to go up to her and say, 'Adopt me!' "

Freida - who is dating her 'Slumdog Millionaire' co-star Dev Patel - also revealed her shock at how much her life has changed since starring in the Academy Award-winning movie.

She said: "I have to pinch myself! It's like a dream come true but we had a little message in 'Slumdog Millionaire' - 'It is destiny.' So that's what I'm going to embrace it as and enjoy life." - Bang! Extranet

Salma Hayek ditches turkey for husband

SALMA Hayek has ditched traditional Christmas food for her husband.

The 'Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant' actress, who married French businessman Francois-Henry Pinault earlier this year, was shocked to discover her spouse feasts on luxury shellfish rather than turkey over the festive season in December but she has agreed to sample his menu.

The 43-year-old star said: "Eating oysters for Christmas is a weird one I didn't know about. I had no idea that would be happening.

"I'm used to turkey. It's going to take some getting used to."

Salma and the French billionaire tied the knot in a romantic civil ceremony in Paris, France, on Valentine's Day.

The couple wed for the second time in a star-studded ceremony in Venice, Italy, in April. Salma and Francois-Henri - who began dating in 2006 - called off their engagement in July 2008, but eventually decided to get back together after taking two romantic trips to the French capital.

They have a two-year-old daughter, Valentina Paloma, together. - Bang! Extranet

Personality In Pictures

Culver City, 23 October 2009: TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. AFP



Culver City, 23 October 2009: Designer Kimora Lee arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. AFP


TOKYO, 23 October 2009: A model takes to the catwalk wearing a creation of Japanese fashion brand 'Gut's Dynamite Cabarets' by designers Cabaret Aki and Jackal Kuzu during brand's 2010 Sprint/Summer Collection at Japan Fashion Week 2010 in Tokyo, Japan, 23 October 2009. The fashion week runs through 24 October. EPA

Gaga writes song for Lambert

Lady Gaga has announced a new headline tour, written a song for American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert and has a new single out. -- PHOTOS: AP, REUTERS

NEW YORK - AMERICAN singer Lady Gaga has announced a new headline tour, written a song for American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert and has a new single out, reported entertainment media on Thursday.

Lady Gaga's tour, Monster Ball, is a replacement for her previously planned tour with now disgraced hip-hop star, Kanye West. She will not be touring in Aisa or Australia. Whatcha Say singer Jason Derulo has been added to rapper Kid Cudi as support acts.

Lambert, who is currently recording his first album For Your Entertainment, announced on his Twitter account that Lady Gaga had given him a song.

'Gaga wrote the song a while ago and she thought it would be a good fit for me,' he tweeted. 'It's a solo track. I feel so honoured and lucky to be asked. Gaga just gets it, you know?'

Lady Gaga has also said that The Fame Monster, an enhanced version of her debut album will be released on November 23rd and will include new tracks including Bad Romance, her new single.

Lindsay Lohan slams her dad

Lindsay Lohan has reportedly slammed her father for making up 'excessive lies' about her. -- PHOTO: AP

LOS ANGELES - TROUBLED actress Lindsay Lohan has reportedly slammed her father for making up 'excessive lies' about her, reported entertainment media on Thursday.

According to celebrity website Bang Showbiz, Lohan said: 'I'm so hurt that someone who calls himself my father, needs to use the press to communicate with me.

'I have not spoken to my father, nor have I responded to his threatening and erratic messages over the last several months.

'It's so sad that he needs to stay in the media spotlight by using my name and making up excessive lies.

'He should instead try to be a real father.' -- AFP

Shakira dressed like a man

Shakira took a break from music in 2006 and enrolled on a history course. She changed her name and wore a disguise so that her fellow students wouldn't know who she was. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON - SINGER Shakira has revealed in an interview with The Guardian that she dressed as a man to attend the University of California in Los Angeles.

The 32-year-old took a break from music in 2006 and enrolled on a history course. She changed her name and wore a disguise so that her fellow students wouldn't know who she was.

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'I needed a break from me. The universe is so broad, I cannot be at the centre of it,' she said in the interview.

'So I decided to go to the university and study history for a summer course, just to kind of switch gears, taste the student life. I used to wear a cap and a big backpack, I looked like a boy. I didn't get recognised.

Shakira said that some people looked at her suspiciously and others asked her if she was 'Shakira'.

'I would go to university over and over again if I could,' she said.

Lawsuit over Madonna's noise

Madonna's annoyed neighbour has complained that the superstar makes a lot of noise in her apartment. -- PHOTO: AP

NEW YORK - A WOMAN living below Madonna's swank Manhattan apartment has complained to the New York State Supreme Court about the noise that the pop star upstairs pumps out, The New York Post said on Monday.

'Madonna and one or more of her invited guests repeatedly dance and train... to unreasonably high-decibel, amplified music, causing noise and vibration to pour through the walls, ceilings and radiators,' claims the lawsuit, filed by Karen George.

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'Ms George has been forced to endure blaring music, stomping and shaking walls for approximately one and a half to three hours each day,' the suit against the building board said.

The building board said it has threatened Madonna with eviction if the noise does not stop.

Madonna, 51, moved to her seventh-floor apartment in Manhattan's upscale Central Park West avenue after her divorce last year from British filmmaker Guy Ritchie. -- AFP

Elvis' hair sells for US$15,000

A sample of hair from Elvis Presley is displyed at the Leslie Hindman auction house October 15, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The hair which has an auction estimate of $8-12 thousand is believed to be from Elvis' Army haircut. -- PHOTO: AFP

CHICAGO - A clump of hair believed to have been trimmed from Elvis Presley's head when he joined the Army in 1958 has sold for US$15,000 (S$20,908) at a Chicago auction house.

I enjoy kissing each inch of you

Also among the 200 Elvis-related items up for grabs at the Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago on Sunday was a shirt that once belonged to the King which sold for US$52,000, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Other items included scarves, photos from the reception of Presley's 1967 wedding to Priscilla, Christmas cards he sent and lots of records. Elvis dolls and Elvis Pez dispensers numbered among the memorabilia.

All the items had belonged to the late Gary Pepper, who ran a fan club and was a friend. Pepper, who had cerebral palsy, died in 1980. -- AP

Madonna likes Lady GaGa

Madonna has said she likes emerging pop diva Lady GaGa because she has the 'it factor' despite her fledgling skills. -- PHOTOS: AP, AFP

LOS ANGELES - SUPERSTAR Madonna has said she likes emerging pop diva Lady GaGa because she has the 'it factor' despite her fledgling skills, reported entertainment media on Friday.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Madonna said: 'When I saw her, she didn't have a lot of money for her production.

'She had holes in her fishnets, and there were mistakes everywhere. It was kind of a mess, but I can see that she has that 'IT Factor'. It's nice to see that at a raw stage.'

'I see myself in Lady GaGa,' Madonna added. -- AP

Madonna

Lady GaGa

Christina Aguilera has Power

Our gal has a powerful strut! Christina Aguilera gets a big honor at Variety’s first annual Power of Women luncheon Thursday sponsored by Lifetime at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, where the singer was recognized for her fight against world hunger.

She looked amazing in a sung fitting black dress and she sparkled it up with diamond stud earrings and bangles. Let’s not forget that gorgeous wedding ring. Steal her celebrity inspired engagement ring for a bargain at sparkles who offers the deal on cubic zirconia engagement rings.

Jessica Simpson in New York City

Jessica Simpson got glamouros before leaving her hotel in New York City and heading to the Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, New jersey where she’s filming a new ad for department store Macy’s.

Steal her black beaded necklace and sparkling gold bangles at SparklesForever.

La Toya Jackson and AnnaLynne McCord Strike a Pose

Unlikely pals La Toya Jackson and AnnaLynne McCord strike a pose in Santa Monica, Calif., on Thursday at Macy’s annual Passport Fashion Show, which raises funds for local HIV/AIDS organizations. Advocate Elizabeth Taylor spoke at the event, which has made $28 million since it began 27 years ago.

Women in Hollywood

KATIE HOLMES

On family life: “In my own life, my whole world really revolves around family. I do what I need to do, but it’s like, ‘How is everybody else doing?’ And it’s wonderful for me as an actress to put some of that into a character.”

On life as a working mom on the Broadway set of All My Sons: “Suri would sit in my lap in the makeup chair. She’d hand the wig lady the bobby pins.“

On fashion: “I love Alaïa, for sure. Stella McCartney. I like Ralph Lauren because I feel like it’s very American, and I’m pretty all-American, from Ohio. Isabel Marant and a new designer, Sari Gueron.

On the genre of film she loves most: “It can be any genre. I even like vampire movies – they just have to be well done. I want to believe in the characters. The minute it starts to feel not real, I’m not interested.”

Miss Plastic Hungary

Winners of the Miss Plastic Hungary beauty pageant, queen Reka Urban (centre), first runner-up Edina Kulcsar (right), and second-runner up Alexandra Horvath (left), smile together after the contest in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, October 9, 2009. -- PHOTO: AP

BUDAPEST - IT WAS a night for unnatural beauties.

Contestants showed off breast implants, nose jobs and face lifts as Miss Plastic Hungary 2009 strove to promote the benefits of plastic surgery in a country where artificial enhancements are viewed mostly with a wary eye.

'I think this competition is long overdue,' said photographer Marton Szipal, one of the pageant judges. 'Hungarians used to laugh about plastic surgery but it's time for Hungarian women to care more about their appearance. They are the most beautiful in Europe.'

Plastic surgeon Dr Tamas Rozsos said the pageant also meant to show that cosmetic corrections did not necessarily have to be about oversized breasts, bulbous lips and skin stretched to near tearing point. 'This about restoring harmony ... eliminating asymmetries and giving women the opportunity to have normal features,' Dr Rozsos said.

'Plastic surgery has a bad reputation in Hungary but its mostly due to the exaggerations.' Despite Hungary having been hit hard by the global economic crisis with the government forced to scale back spending on health services, Dr Rozsos said that the number of surgeries had been rising year by year.

'People for whom this is important always find the money,' Dr Rozsos said. -- AP

Marge on Playboy cover

Playboy released a picture of the cover shot (left) on Friday featuring Marge artfully concealed behind a chair in the shape of the iconic Playboy Bunny logo. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON - DOES Homer know? What will Bart think? Marge Simpson, Homer's wife and Bart's mother on the hit television show The Simpsons, is the cover girl on the November issue of Playboy magazine.

Playboy released a picture of the cover shot on Friday featuring Marge artfully concealed behind a chair in the shape of the iconic Playboy Bunny logo.

The magazine promises a story inside on 'The Devil in Marge Simpson', an interview and more pictures, including a centrefold pullout.

Playboy said Marge will be the first cartoon character to grace the cover of the magazine, which has featured movie stars, athletes and other celebrities through the decades in addition to the usual 'bunnies'.

The November issue is a tribute to America's most dysfunctional family - Homer, Marge, Bert, Lisa and Maggie - who are celebrating their 20th anniversary on television this year. -- AFP