Sunday, May 2, 2010

Over The Rainbow: Stephanie Davis is left 'gutted' as she is eliminated from last night's show

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By Georgina Littlejohn

End of a dream: Stephanie Davis sings her last song and bids farewell as she becomes the fifth Dorothy hopeful to leave Over The Rainbow


Merseyside teenager Stephanie Davis became the fifth Dorothy wannabe to leave Over The Rainbow last night.

The 17-year-old said she was 'gutted' after Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Steph Fearon after the two girls went head-to-head in a sing-off after they received the fewest votes from the public.

The two competitors attempted to stay in by singing Tell Me On A Sunday, prompting Andrew Lloyd Webber to use his casting vote to save Steph, 21.

He said: 'I know what both of you can do - you're both extraordinarily talented.
'I don't think this is the right pair, but all things considered the person I have to save is Steph.'

Stephanie, who lives with her parents and two younger brothers in Prescot, said: 'I'm gutted.


Smile through the tars: Stephanie put on a brave face as she was comforted by host Graham Norton


'I'm absolutely devastated because I wasn't ready to go - it was too soon. I feel I had so much more to give.

'But I've loved every minute of it. It's been an amazing journey and I've learnt so much.

'I didn't expect to get this far.'

In last night's 'big band' show, Stephanie received a mixed reaction following her rendition of Mr Bojangles, described as a 'very difficult song for a girl'.


We'll miss you: The remaining contestants sing Over The Rainbow with Stephanie and say goodbye as she floats on a silver moon above them


Expert panellist John Partridge said he did not understand the story - of a tap-dancing man in prison remembering his dead dog - while Charlotte Church disagreed and praised Stephanie for bringing a 'new and fresh' interpretation.

Lord Lloyd-Webber said: 'That's a very difficult bittersweet song, very difficult for a girl to sing: it's about a man in prison. You could maybe have told two sides to the story more.'

Stephanie said Mr Bojangles may not have been the best choice for her and wanted the chance to show 'different' sides to her performance.

After performing, she said she knew she would be voted off and added: 'I had a gut feeling - a feeling across my chest - so I was prepared.'


Dorothy mash-up: The girls sang a medley of three songs - Well Did You Evah from the musical High Society, Pink's Get The Party Started, and Tone Loc's Wild Thang


Stephanie has had small roles on a number of TV shows including Doctors, Holby City and The Outsiders.

She has also starred in musicals at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and said she enjoys all aspects of performance.

Her plan now is to move to London and pursue a career 'doing her dream', she said.

The remaining six hopefuls will be whittled down to four next week in a double-elimination special with one contestant leaving on Saturday and another on Sunday.


Soul sisters: The girls perform their version of The Supremes' song The Happening
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Pictured: The terrifying moment a race car rolled into crowd of spectators

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By Richard Shears

Terror: The car flies over a safety rail towards a crowd of spectators


Spectators ran for their lives when a race car sailed through the air towards them after a dramatic crash in Australia.

The Mini had clipped another vehicle during the race in Brisbane, rolled along the track - then sailed through the air straight towards the crowd of spectators.


It seemed that disaster was only a split second way as the red vehicle dropped down towards the scattering crowd.


Those in the vehicle's path rush for safety


Amazingly, the Mini came to rest having only struck two men, neither of whom sustained life-thretening injuries


Yet only two people were hit and were said to be recovering from their injuries in hospital.

'It's amazing that more people were not seriously injured,' said Australian racing legend Dick Johnson.

'This particular race track is very sub-standard... You have to look after people who pay money to come to these places.'


Catalyst: Magrow's car flipped after he collided with a fellow competitor


Parts of the car were torn off as it raced through a gravel pit towards a safety barrier


The Mini Cooper S struck two men - aged 59 and 60 - as it smashed through a fence, took to the air and came crashing down. They suffered head injuries, which were to be 'not life-threatening'.

Even the 22-year-old driver Kain Magrow escaped unhurt.


Perfectly fine: A track spokesman denied the circuit was unsafe

Spectators were amazed that he was able to step out of the wreck of the number 8 Mini, which had rolled several times before hitting the fence and soaring through the air.

A Queensland Raceway spokesman said the crash was 'a seriously freak accident'.
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You think Gaga is wild? U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan post hilarious Telephone remake on YouTube

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By Mail Foreign Service

Gaga for soldiers: One of the stars of the video in his own take on fashion


A group of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan have posted a video of themselves recreating Lady Gaga's Telephone video on YouTube.

The hilarious footage is performed mainly by two soldiers who take on the roles of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé as they perform an energetic and intricate dance routine.

The pair alternate between wearing their standard camouflage uniforms and Gaga-inspired outfits for group scenes which also star fellow soldiers.

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Lady Gaga wore crime scene tape in the video for her single Telephone
In one shot, the man who is playing Lady Gaga is wrapped in yellow belts with net over his face as he attempts to recreate the singer's unique sense of style.
After posting the video on YouTube, user malimelcher wrote: ' This is a couple guys located in afghanistan, that re-made the music video by Lady Gaga....Telephone.


'Prepare yourself for a fantastical journey. Right now this is the temporary version, we have more scenes to cut, and edit, however with guys always on mission it is harder to film than you think.'

The Smoking Gun revealed that the video was filmed by soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division, apparently inside a garage at the Forward Operating Base in Farah province.

The genius behind it was married 24-year-old Aaron Melcher - also the most enthusiastic of the dancers, who posed happily in yellow crime scene tape.


Dancing kings: The soldiers performed a coordinated - mostly - number for Beyoncé's part in the song


Top marks: This soldier receives the applause of the MailOnline for his moves


He and Justin Baker, a fellow enlistee, were the main stars of the video.
The video has already had 155,355 views, and has been described as 'the best Gaga tribute ever' by one fan.

Another wrote: 'Nice to see that beside the danger and stress there is also time for fun ;) Keep up the good work!'

The Telephone remake follows the YouTube hit of British soldiers in Iraq in 2005, when they recorded their own version of Peter Kay's charity performance of Tony Christie's The Way to Amarillo.

YouTube has become a popular place for soldiers to share their experiences and find some light relief during their time in war zones.

See the soldier's video - and Gaga's original - here




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New York police defuse car bomb in Times Square

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By Daily Mail Reporter

A bomb squad officer examines the Nissan Pathfinder car. Smoke emerging from the vehicle first alerted officers to the 'car bomb'


Police evacuated New York's famous Times Square early this morning after a dark-colored sports utility vehicle was seen smoking and a small 'flash' was observed by firefighters on the scene.

Officers at the scene said the evacuation order stemmed from an 'emergency investigation' and dozens of officers blocked access to the busy central Manhattan square, which is popular with tourists and theater-goers. It's three miles north of the World Trade Centre site, where the atrocities of September 11, 2001, were carried out.

New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said a vehicle had been left in Times Square, with smoke seen coming from it. It was discovered to contain explosives and a timing device.


Police evacuated a number of streets surrounding Times Square after the car bomb was noticed at about midnight GMT, 6.30pm local time


'It appears to be a car bomb left in a Pathfinder between Seventh and Eighth (avenues),' he said at 6am GMT, adding that the device contained 'explosive elements' that included 'propane tanks, some kind of powder, gasoline and a timing device'.

Both US President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised police for their quick response.

'We are very lucky,' Mr Bloomberg told reporters. 'Thanks to alert New Yorkers and professional police officers, we avoided what could have been a very deadly event.'


A bomb disposal vehicle arrives at the scene after an explosive device was found in an SUV parked in Times Square


Bomb squad members worked through the night to diffuse the explosive device found in the car


He said the bomb 'looked amateurish' but could have exploded, adding that the incident was a 'reminder of the dangers that we face'.

Kevin Barry, a former supervisor in the New York Police Department bomb squad, told the New York Times he was told it was an improvised explosive device. But somehow, he said, the ignition source 'failed to function the main charge'.


A policeman stands guard on one of the deserted streets after the alarm was raised


The vehicle's registration plates belonged to a different vehicle, police said.

A New York City firefighter who said he arrived early on the scene described the vehicle as a dark-colored SUV, and said it was parked at the corner of 45th Street and Seventh Avenue.

He confirmed the vehicle was smoking and also said he saw 'a flash' from the back of the SUV. The firefighter said a 'mini-explosion' occurred between 6pm and 6.30pm.


Normally teeming with people on a Saturday night, the area around Times Square is empty save for police officers and members of the bomb squad


were set up and theatre-goers turned away as emergency services dealt with the car bomb


'The SUV was smoking. There was a flash and we put two and two together' and an evacuation was ordered, he said.

Other emergency personnel on the scene called the incident a 'car fire'.

The firefighter said the bomb squad remained at the scene as of 9pm, including a firefighter in a bomb suit. A robot was being used to investigate the suspicious SUV.

Reuters reporters on the scene said they heard an explosion from the area of the SUV around 9.15pm.

Two fire trucks were also at the scene, prepared to douse the vehicle with water if needed, the firefighter said.

Police said they planned to 'close down' Broadway shows in the vicinity, but it was not clear whether any theaters had actually been evacuated.

The square itself was mostly evacuated by 8pm according to Reuters reporters on the scene. Police had evacuated an area stretching from about 42nd Street up to 47th Street and including Seventh Avenue and Broadway.

But people dining inside the Blue Fin restaurant in a hotel at 47th and Broadway were allowed to continue and some people were being allowed in Broadway theaters in the area.

Police officers earlier told Reuters the area was shut down due to 'an emergency investigation'.
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T-ara’s Jiyeon has a thing for Lee Chun Hee

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On the May 1st episode of Entertainment Relay, the T-ara girls were interviewed at their filming for the new Nene Chicken CF which will be released in May.

They were asked about their ideal guys where Jiyeon answered, “I like Lee Chun Hee sunbae. He’s so cute.” All of the sudden, she became very shy and covered her face with her hands.

Jiyeon sent a message to Lee Chun Hee, “I am your fan. I hope we can meet even for a short time.”

Hyomin answered, “Someone who is enthusiastic. When I talk, I want him to laugh and have fun.”

They then recommended Boom and Hyomin replied, “He’s in the army right now…” I guess Boom isn’t the type she’s looking for.

During the same interview, they chose Boram as the dirtiest member because she has a messy bed, with hardly any space for sleeping.
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Gil Hak Mi thanks Lee Hyori for her encouragement

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One of the top 10 finalists from last year’s Superstar K, Gil Hak Mi recently appeared for the first time on Music Bank where she thanked Lee Hyori for encouraging her.

After several music show cancellations, Gil Hak Mi’s had to delay promotions for her mini album Super Soul. However, she still gave it her best shot on her debut performance a few days ago on Music Bank.
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Saturday, May 1, 2010

Britain's Got Talent: 14-year-old Olivia leaves judges speechless with 'spellbinding' performance

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By Georgina Littlejohn

Spellbinding: Olivia Archibald leaves the judges in awe after her flawless performance of Sarah McLachlan's In The Arms Of The Angels


*** Scroll down to watch video ***


Only three weeks into the show and she has been tipped as one of the favourites to win.

And after her performance on Britain's Got Talent tonight that wowed all three judges, 14-year-old Olivia Archibald has winner written all over her.

The teenager was a bundle of nerves as she stepped out onto the stage at the Manchester Opera House in front of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden.

Speaking quietly into her microphone, she introduced herself and told the panel she was there to sing Sarah McLachlan's In The Arms Of The Angels, as Simon leaned into Amanda and whispered: 'This is a hard song to sing.'

But he needn't have been worried after Olivia launched into a flawless, note-perfect version of the song, which got judges and the audience on their feet to give her a standing ovation - and earned a 'wow' from Simon.


Earlier she had told the show: 'I walk downstairs singing, maybe sometimes daydream whilst in maths class. I wonder if in 5 years time I could be an actual star singing in front of millions of people.'


Lost in music: Putting her nerves aside, Olivia proved her worth as she put her heart and soul into her performance


Delighted: Olivia is thrilled at the judges' comments as she is voted through to the next round


And she got one step further to her dream after all three judges unanimously voted her through to the next round.

Simon told her: 'You sang that so well, you really made that song your own. I am so so impressed with you, Olivia, that I can't even tell you.'

Amanda added: 'Spellbinding. Such a lovely, professional and quality performance.'
And Piers added: 'I don't think you know just how good you are.'


Here come the girls: Dance troupe AKA got three yeses from the panel after their routine to Proud Mary


Olivia was one of the few successes on last night's show, which saw auditions held in Manchester and Newcastle.

Another act that impressed the judges was the first audition in Newcastle by all-girl dance troupe AKA - even though Simon had trouble with their accents.

As the 19 girls trotted on to the stage in their matching sequinned gold outfits, they introduced themselves as 'AKA' - which he misunderstood as 'EKE'.


Get ourselves Connected: The teenage boy band wannabes went through to the next round


Language barrier aside, they launched into a routine to Tina Turner's Proud Mary, as their families watched backstage.
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