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Top TV Stars

By | Featured, Films

Starring in a TV series for an actor used to represent a potential stepping stone into the world of movies, however these days it is taking a role reversal with many big film actors moving into the television game. With the rise of the series came some epic releases such as Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Revenge, Homeland, The Good Wife, Ray Donovan, Gossip girl, Downton Abbey to name just a small dent in the list that is the new media sweeping the world. So seeing as the acting skills are tried and tested we thought we’d rank them by beauty, hotness, and shallowly give you the top ten most gorgeous male and female actors gracing our TV screens.

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NAME: Blake Lively
AGE: 27
TV SERIES: Gossip Girl
ALSO IN: Sandman, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Accepted, Simon Says, Elvis and Anabelle, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, New York, I Love You, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, The Town, Green Lantern, Hick, Savages,The Age of Adaline.
STATUS: Married to Ryan Reynolds with 1 child.

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NAME: Lena Headey
AGE: 41
TV SERIES: Game of Thrones
ALSO IN: Waterland, The Summer House, The Remains of the Day, Century, Fair Game, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday, The Grotesque, Devil’s Advocate, Loved Up, Face, Mrs Dalloway, The Man with Rain in His Shoes, Inside-Out, Onegin, Ropewalk, Gossip, Aberdeen, The Parole Officer, Anazapta,The Gathering Storm, Possession, Ripley’s Game, The Actors, No Verbal Response,The Brothers Grimm,The Cave, Round About Five, Imagine Me & You, Vacancy, 300,The Contractor, The Broken, The Red Baron, Whore, The Devil’s Wedding, Laid to Rest, Dredd, The Purge,The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box, Low Down, 300: Rise of an Empire, Ballykissangel, Band of Gold, How We Used To Live, The Hunger, Kavanagh QC, The Long Firm, Merlin, Screen Two, Spender, The Super Hero Squad Show, Black Widow / Mystique (voices), Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Ultra, Uncle Grandpa, White Collar.
STATUS: Married to Peter Loughran, 1 child

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NAME: Kaley Cuoco
AGE: 29
TV SERIES: Big Bang Theory
ALSO IN: 8 Simple Rules, Charmed, Can’t Be Heaven, To Be Fat Like Me, Hop, Authors Anonymous
STATUS: Married to Ryan Sweeting

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NAME: Zooey Deschanel
AGE: 35
TV SERIES: New Girl
ALSO IN: Mumford, Almost Famous, Manic, The Good Girl, Abandon, Big Trouble, The New Guy, Sweet Friggin’ Daisies, Whatever We Do, All the Real Girls, It’s Better to Be Wanted for Murder Than Not to Be Wanted at All, House Hunting, Elf, Eulogy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Winter Passing, Failure to Launch, Live Free or Die, The Good Life, The Go-Getter, Bridge to Terabithia, Flakes, Raving, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Gigantic, The Happening, Yes Man, (500) Days of Summer, Our Idiot Brother, Your Highness, Rock the Kasbah, The Driftless Area’, Frasier, Cracking Up, Once Upon a Mattress, American Dad!, Weeds, Tin Man, The Simpsons, Bones, Funny or Die Presents
STATUS: With Ben Gibbard

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NAME: Rachel Bilson
AGE: 33
TV SERIES: The OC
ALSO IN: Unbroken, The Last Kiss, Jumper, New York, I Love You, Waiting for Forever, Life Happens, The Bling Ring, The To Do List, 8 Simple Rules, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, That ’70s Show, Chuck, How I Met Your Mother, Hart of Dixie, Gossip Girl
STATUS: With Hayden Christensen

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NAME: Hayden Panettiere
AGE: 25
TV SERIES: Nashville
ALSO IN: One Life to Live, Aliens in the Family, How Do You Spell God?, Guiding Light, Unhappily Ever After, A Will of Their Own, Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke, Touched by an Angel, If You Believe, Between the Lions, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chestnut Hill, Ally McBeal, Normal, Malcolm in the Middle, Fillmore!, Tiger Cruise, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Lies My Mother Told Me, Commander in Chief, Skater Boys, Heroes, Robot Chicken, American Dad!, Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy, The Object of My Affection, A Bug’s Life, Message in a Bottle, Dinosaur, Remember the Titans, Joe Somebody, The Affair of the Necklace, The Dust Factory, Raising Helen, Racing Stripes, Ice Princess, Bring It On: All or Nothing,The Architect, Mr. Gibb, Shanghai Kiss, Diary of a New Girl, Fireflies in the Garden, Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King, I Love You, Beth Cooper!, The Cove, Alpha and Omega, Scream 4, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, The Forger
STATUS: Wladimir Klitschko

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NAME: Nina Dobrev
AGE: 26
TV SERIES: The Vampire Diaries
ALSO IN: Away from Her, Playing House, How She Move, The Poet, Too Young to Marry, Fugitive Pieces, My Daughter’s Secret, Repo! The Genetic Opera, Never Cry Werewolf, The American Mall, You Got That Light, Degrassi Goes Hollywood, Chloe, The Roommate, Arena, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Final Girls, Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Border, Eleventh Hour, Merry Madagascar, Family Guy, The Super Hero Squad Show, The Originals
STATUS: Unknown

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NAME: Emelia Clarke
AGE: 28
TV SERIES: Game of Thrones
ALSO IN: Spike Island, Shackled, Dom Hemingway, Terminator Genisys, Voice from the Stone, Doctors, Futurama
STATUS: Unknown

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NAME: Emily VanCamp
AGE: 28
TV SERIES: Revenge
ALSO IN: Lost and Delirious, No Good Deed, A Different Loyalty, Rings, The Ring Two, Black Irish, Carriers, Norman, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Girl in the Book, Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Radio Active, All Souls, Dice, Redeemer, Glory Days, Everwood, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Brothers & Sisters, Ben Hur, Beyond the Blackboard, Marvel 75 Years: From Pulp to Pop!
STATUS: With Josh Bowman

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NAME: Robin Wright
AGE: 48
TV SERIES: House of Cards
ALSO IN: Hollywood Vice Squad, The Princess Bride, Denial, State of Grace, The Playboys, Toys, Forrest Gump, The Crossing Guard, Moll Flanders, Loved, Hurlyburly, Message in a Bottle, How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog, Unbreakable, The Pledge, The Last Castle, Searching for Debra Winger, White Oleander, The Singing Detective, Virgin, A Home at the End of the World, Nine Lives, Sorry, Haters, Max, Empire Falls, Breaking and Entering, Room 10, Hounddog, Beowulf, What Just Happened, New York, I Love You, State of Play, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, A Christmas Carol, The Conspirator, Moneyball, Rampart, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Congress, Adore, A Most Wanted Man, Everest, The Yellow Rose, Santa Barbara, Saturday Night Live, Enlightened, House of Cards.
STATUS: Divorced, 2 children

And now for the men….

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NAME: Travis Fimmel
AGE: 35
TV SERIES: Vikings
ALSO IN: Many many Calvin Klein underwear adverts, Rocky Point, Southern Comfort, Restraint, Ivory, Surfer Dude and The Beast.
STATUS: Single

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NAME: Gabriel Macht
AGE: 43
TV SERIES: Suits
ALSO IN: Love & Other Drugs, The Spirit, The Good Shepherd, Middle Men, Whiteout,Because I Said So , Bad Company, The Recruit, Behind Enemy Lines, American Outlaws, A Love Song for Bobby Long, Sex and the City, Spin City, The Audrey Hepburn Story and The Others.
STATUS: Married

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NAME: Jason Momoa
AGE: 35
TV SERIES: Game of Thrones
ALSO IN: Baywatch Hawaii, Debug, Wolves, Road To Paloma, Bullet to the Head, Conan The Barbarian, Johnson Family Vacation.
STATUS: With Lisa Bonet, has 2 children

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NAME: Stephen Amell
AGE: 33
TV SERIES: Arrow
ALSO IN: Queer as Folk, Dante’s Cove, ReGenesis, Da Kink in my Hair, Heartland, Vampire Diaries, Justice for Natalie Holloway, Hung, 90210, New Girl, Private Practice, Whatever Makes you Happy.
STATUS: With Cassandra Jean, 1 child.

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NAME: Kit Harington
AGE: 28
TV SERIES: Game of Thrones
ALSO IN: War Horse (West End show), Pompeii, How to Train your Dragon 2, Silent Hill; Revelation 3D, Testament of Youth, Seventh Son, Spooks: The Greater Good,
STATUS: Unknown

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NAME: Chace Crawford
AGE: 29
TV SERIES: Gossip Girl
ALSO IN: Family Guy, Robot Chicken, Glee, Long Lost Son, The Covenant, Loaded, The Haunting Of Molly Hartley, Twelve, Peace Love and Misunderstanding, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Mountain Men.
STATUS: Unknown

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NAME: Josh Bowman
AGE: 27
TV SERIES: So Undercover
ALSO IN: Genie in the House, Myths, Betwixt, Holby City, 13 Hours, Nightwolf, Prowl, Exteriors, Love’s Kitchen, Make it or Break It, Revenge.
STATUS: With Emily VanCamp

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NAME: Chad Michael Murray
AGE: 33
TV SERIES: House Of Wax
ALSO IN: Megiddo: The Omega Code 2, Freaky Friday, A Cinderella Story, Home of the Brave, The Carrier, Day One, First Kiss, The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia, Fruitvale Station, Cavemen, A Madea Christmas, Left Behind, Other People’s Children, To Write Love on her Arms, Undressed, Diagnosis: Murder, Gilmore Girls, Dawson’s Creek, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Aftermath: A Long Way Home, The Lone Ranger, One Tree Hill, Lies in Plain Sight, Christmas Cupid, Southland, Chosen, Texas Rising, Agent Carter
STATUS: With Kenzie Dalton

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NAME: Wentworth Miller
AGE: 42
TV SERIES: Prison Break
ALSO IN: Room 302, The Human Stain, Underworld, The Confession, Stealth, Resident Evil: Afterlife, The Mourning Portrait, Resident Evil: Retribution, Stoker, The Loft, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, The Disappointments Room, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Time of Your Life, Popular, ER, Dinotopia, Joan of Arcadia, Ghost Whisperer, Family Guy, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
House, Young Justice: Invasion, The Flash
STATUS: Unknown

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NAME: Adam Rodriguez
AGE: 39
TV SERIES: CSI: Miami
ALSO IN: The Night Shift, Magic Mike XXL, About Last Night, Lovesick, Reckless,The Goodwin Games, Magic Mike, Necessary Roughness, Sesame Street, Psych, Let the Game Begin, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Ugly Betty, Caught in the Crossfire, Respect My Conglomerate, A Kiss of Chaos, Bohica, Christmas Break, I Call It Love as Boyfriend,15 Minutes of Fame, Cielito Lindo,Take, Unknown, Splinter, Thanks to Gravity, Category 7: The End of the World, Kim Possible, Six Feet Under, King Rikki, Impostor, Roswell, All Souls, Details, Resurrection Blvd., Details, Felicity, Law & Order, If You Had My Love, Brooklyn South, NYPD Blue, Love & Debate.
STATUS: Unknown


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International Day of Happiness

By | Featured, Music

Officially, this is the happiest day of the year! Who better to mark the occasion than writer of hit song Happy, Pharrell Williams. The International Day of Happiness (March 20) is led by the United Nations and Live Earth. The aim is to reach out to young people and engage them on climate change.

Pharrell said: “In a year where there is so much turmoil in the world, from social conflict to climate change, we need moments to stop and celebrate happiness. Protecting our planet is fundamental to the pursuit of human happiness and that is why we have chosen to support Live Earth’s movement to raise a billion voices for climate action. We believe that happiness can change the world.”

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Pharrell is turning the Empire State Building yellow today to mark the occasion.

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The event will be educational and inspiring to the students of New York and across the country, in the aim of helping the youth to shape a better future for themselves in which they can all attain the utmost important goal of happiness. In addition, the UN officials and experts are offering live stream talks for those who cannot attend the event.

The UN has put together a “happiness playlist” featuring Ed Sheeran, David Guetta and James Blunt, while Pharrell has been enlisted to invite people to upload a picture of themselves which will be combined into a huge animated GIF set to his song “Happy”. Meanwhile, the movement Action For Happiness offers a “free Happiness Pack” for download. Find out more on The International Day of Happiness website.

One of the founders of Action For Happiness, Professor Richard Layard of the London School of Economics, takes all his ‘happiness’ talk very seriously. “Our society,” he says, “would be happier if it took happiness more seriously.” So, we might scoff at misguided attempts of pushing happiness upon us today, but we can still do something nice today – even it’s only smiling at everyone. 🙂

In honour of this happy day we’ve put together our own #FeelingHappy playlist – so kick your shoes off, relax and prepare to feel good! 🙂


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“Esta profesión te absorbe y estás de guardia las 24 horas”

By | Featured, Music

Muchos dicen que es el yerno ideal que toda suegra sueña cuando cierra los ojos. Otros lo señalan como el culpable de su sobrepeso por su particular y divertido paso por una de las secciones de cocina más populares de la televisión. Y casi todo el mundo lo califica como uno de los comunicadores más versátiles del actual panorama televisivo español. Roberto Leal es periodista, runner convencido y militante, escritor y chirigotero. Es el actual presentador del programa España Directo en la 1 de TVE, la cadena nacional más importante del país, y recientemente ha lanzado al mercado Cuando los muñecos de la tele tenían un señor dentro, un libro donde hace un repaso por los prolíficos años 80 de la historia española en clave de humor.

La carrera de Roberto Leal es un ejemplo perfecto que aúna el trabajo y la constancia profesional junto a una arrolladora y carismática personalidad. Sus innegables dotes para la comunicación hacen que abandone su localidad de nacimiento, Alcalá de Guadaira (Sevilla), para recalar en Madrid dando el salto a la televisión nacional.

Leal alcanza el éxito y el reconocimiento del gran público en 2005 tras su paso como reportero por el programa de actualidad España Directo, gracias a su simpatía, desparpajo y genuina forma de presentar la información culinaria ante las cámaras. Espacio emitido por TVE al que nueve años después ha vuelto por la puerta grande, convirtiéndose en su principal presentador e imagen más reconocible.

Pero antes de esto Roberto Leal ha dejado su firma en programas como 3D, Espejo Público (junto a la prestigiosa periodista española Susanna Griso), Te lo mereces y El Estirón. Todos ellos para Antena 3 Televisión, la principal cadena del grupo de comunicación español Atresmedia, donde también ha presentado y dirigido programas especiales relacionados con importantes series de ficción como Hispania, Downton Abbey y El Tiempo Entre Costuras.

Colaborador de radio en la popular cadena española Happy FM, bloguero, amante del running y magnífico chirigotero con presencia en el conocido Carnaval de Cádiz, acaba de protagonizar una de sus últimas aventuras creativas lanzando al mercado su primer libro bajo el título Cuando los muñecos de la tele tenían un señor dentro. Un manuscrito donde reflexiona con mucho humor, y desde sus experiencias personales, sobre la sociedad española en los años 80: Programas de televisión, películas, publicidad, videojuegos, moda…

Así que esta tarde de Sunday Sessions tendrá de todo un poco gracias a la presencia de este polifacético comunicador. Periodismo, filosofía runner de la buena, televisión de máxima actualidad, chirigota carnavalera, nostalgia ochentera y, como no, filias y fobias musicales. Si se quedan con ganas de más de información solo tiene que sintonizar el programa que Roberto Leal encabeza de lunes a viernes a las 19.15h en la 1 de TVE…

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Tu gran naturalidad y talento ante las cámaras pronto te llevan a dar el salto a la primera división de la televisión nacional y recalas en 2005 en España Directo, uno de los programas más seguidos y respetados de la televisión pública en el país. ¿Cómo vives el salto de Sevilla a la capital, Madrid? ¿Cómo era la forma de vida que te imponía ese programa siendo reportero?
España Directo ha marcado un antes y un después en mi carrera. Cuando me llegó la oportunidad de trabajar en este formato, acababa de cumplir 25. Fueron 5 años de mi vida en los que recorrí tres veces todas las provincias de España, en la que hice grandes amigos y en la que viví grandísimas experiencias. En muchas ocasiones, fue duro en lo personal, por los kilómetros, las noches fuera de casa y la nostalgia de echar de menos tu tierra y los tuyos. Aún así, hoy volvería a hacerlo mil veces.

Comienzas a recorrer a diario la geografía española y a contar sus historias… ¿Qué balance haces de esta etapa de tu carrera?
Tan sencillo como que hoy no sería quien soy, en lo profesional y en lo personal, si aquella tarde de Mayo de 2005, no hubiera recibido la llamada de España Directo.

Muy pronto te transformas en todo un fenómeno televisivo en España gracias a tus reportajes en las cocinas de los restaurantes más conocidos y populares del país. Te ganas el cariño del público gracias a tu enorme espontaneidad y cercanía haciendo información culinaria. Llegas incluso a ser la imagen de publicaciones relacionadas con la cocina y hacer publicidad de grandes cadenas de supermercados. ¿Cómo recuerdas todos aquellos momentos?
Con mucho cariño. Lo más bonito de esta etapa es que todavía hoy, 9 años después, me paran por la calle preguntándome cómo se hace “el conejo al ajillo”…
La idea de publicar dos libros fue todo un acierto. Las audiencias por aquel entonces se disparaban en la sección de cocina y la publicación fue todo un éxito. Gracias a aquellos años de “cocinillas”, hoy hago unos arroces que los prueba Arguiñano y llora.

¿Eres un buen “cocinillas”? ¿Te ponías hasta las botas comiéndote todo lo que enseñabas en aquellos reportajes? ¿Llevabas siempre tus fiambreras en la maleta para llevarte el “trabajo sobrante” a casa?
¡Jamás me he llevado las sobras! Entre otras cosas porque no sobraba nada. Recuerdo que en aquellos años pesaba 10 kilos más que ahora. Me comía todo lo que salía en televisión y lo que cabía en el frigorífico del restaurante. Los cocineros se portaban muy bien con el equipo y se convertían en “nuestras segundas madres” cuando estábamos fuera de casa. Gracias a ellos me llevé grandes trucos culinarios que hoy pongo en práctica cuando vienen amigos a casa. Que luego me salgan bien del todo ya es otro cantar….

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¿Fue tu posterior etapa en el programa El Estirón para Antena 3 una especie de redención, con dosis de justicia divina y poética, por haber provocado grandes atracones de comida en el público español?
Estoy totalmente de acuerdo. Creo que alguien “allí arriba” pensó que tenía que pagar con creces el lambuceo de aquellos años mozos y me encomendaron este programa, que era justo lo contrario. Me vino bien y fue otra gran experiencia. Trabajar con niños te enriquece y curte. ¿Sabéis lo difícil que es ponerse de acuerdo con ellos cuando se ponen cabezones? Pues imaginadlo a diario, delante de una cámara y con unos brócolis que odian. Ese era el reto, que acabasen amando los brócolis. Y sí, a veces, lo conseguimos. En otras ocasiones acabé comiéndome el brócoli yo mismo.

En 2009 das el salto a la televisión privada para presentar junto a Gloria Serra un programa de actualidad y crónica social llamado 3D y poco después te transformas en el copresentador del programa estrella de las mañanas de Antena 3, Espejo Público, junto a la prestigiosa periodista Susanna Griso. ¿Cómo se produce ese salto?
Fue un paso natural. El programa 3D no fue tal y como se esperaba y “la obra terminó” diez meses después. Fue justo antes del verano, buscaban copresentador en Espejo para el periodo estival y me llamaron para el casting. Tuve la suerte de que por aquel entonces buscaban a un andaluz, y ahí aparecí yo. Me vino como anillo al dedo.

Videobook Periodista Roberto Leal

¿Qué momentos destacarías de tu paso por Espejo Público?
Más allá de los veranos, donde mi papel era más visible, han sido 4 años fantásticos. Susanna es una periodista como la copa de un pino, delante y detrás de las cámaras. Han sido una verdadera familia para mí y he aprendido muchísimo. El día que me despedí de ellos me hicieron una despedida que jamás olvidaré. Nunca había visto delante de las pantallas tanto cariño en un adiós. Siempre lo recordaré.

¿Llevas a cabo más colaboraciones y trabajos para esta prestigiosa cadena televisiva española?
Durante meses también estuve al frente de la sección Objetivo Bienestar y he participado “dando el cante” en Tu cara me suena. ¡Me ha faltado dar las uvas!

En septiembre de 2014 anuncias tu vuelta a España Directo, en TVE, pero esta vez al mando del programa como presentador y cara más reconocible ante los espectadores, en un momento no muy dulce para la cadena estatal en lo que a audiencia se refiere. ¿Por qué decides volver a este programa en un momento tan complicado? ¿Qué balance haces de tu labor en lo que llevas al frente de esta nueva etapa de España Directo?
Fue una decisión que no tuve que pensarme demasiado. Más allá de la situación de la cadena, delicada y en una etapa de cambios, para mí ha sido una gran oportunidad. Volver al programa que te vio nacer es toda una experiencia. Este es otro programa, con otros compañeros, con otro estilo y con otra forma de hacer las cosas pero, sinceramente, estoy encantado. Sé que esta etapa me va a aportar cosas bonitas y el aprendizaje está entre ellas.

Tu despedida de Antena 3 fue un momento de los más emotivos y sinceros que se han visto últimamente en televisión ¿Echas de menos a tus compañeros de Antena 3 y te arrepientes en algún momento de haberte marchado?
Los echo de menos como el que echa de menos a un amigo con el que compartía vida a diario. Me traje lo mejor de cada uno de ellos y seguimos en contacto. No me arrepiento de la decisión, cada día tengo más claro que hice lo que tenía que hacer. Susanna Griso fue de las primeras en decirme: “adelante, no te lo pienses, esta profesión es de valientes”. Y aquí estoy.

Despedida de Roberto Leal en Espejo Público

Hace muy poquito has debutado en el mundo de la literatura con Cuando los muñecos de la tele tenían un señor dentro, un libro con grandes dosis de nostalgia y un gran sentido del humor. Háblanos de qué trata exactamente esta obra y qué te ha motivado a escribirla…
Yo lo considero una especie de “legado guasón” para generaciones venideras que no han tenido la suerte de crecer en la mejor época del mundo, los años 80 y 90. El libro está escrito en forma de monólogo, con mucha poca vergüenza, que seguro que a los que nacimos en aquellos años arranca más de una sonrisa. Desde cómo eran los dibujitos de antes, cómo era nuestra vida sin móvil, cómo ligábamos en el Messenger, cómo molaba nuestro cole, a cómo se han “tuneado” los gintonics, cómo nos hemos vuelto locos con la fiebre del running o cómo ahora de pronto, se vuelven a llevar los polos abrochados hasta el último botón. Una especie de repaso divertido al cómo hemos cambiado, desde entonces hasta ahora. La motivación es sencilla, siempre quise escribir algo que me he hiciera reír y recordar. El resultado ha sido este.

Los juegos de ahora no son los de antes…

Mi sobrina no sabe quién es E.T…

¿Cualquier tiempo pasado fue siempre mejor?
No lo creo. Toda vivencia tiene su época y vivir anclado en la nostalgia no nos dejaría avanzar. Siempre he defendido que aquella infancia nos dejó cosas maravillosas que siempre recordaremos pero estoy seguro que dentro de 30 años, mis sobrinos pensarán lo mismo de la suya (aunque jamás podrán decir que ellos también descubrieron que dentro de Espinete había una muchacha sudando lo suyo).

Los 80 fueron duros para algunos…

En lo que a la música se refiere, ¿cuáles son los principales referentes que manejas y mencionas en tu libro?
En mi libro paso de puntillas por referentes nacionales de los años 80, músicos que marcaron una época como Mecano, Nacha Pop, Alaska y Dinarama, Hombres G, el último de la fila…. Realmente no ha habido ningún capítulo dedicado a la música en particular, esto da para un libro aparte. Serían muchas las bandas sonoras que marcaron aquellos años en la discoteca y en el cine.

Dime un par de videos musicales ochenteros que se hayan quedado grabados en tu memoria y por qué…
Los tengo clarísimos. El primero: Thriller de Michael Jackson. Un video que ha envejecido perfectamente. Hoy, 30 años después lo ves de nuevo, y sigue “acongojando” (no como E.T.) Y por otro lado, por lo irreverente, por lo divertido y porque para mí ha sido una de las bandas y de mis artistas referentes: I Want to Break Free de Queen.

Queen – I Want To Break Free (Official Video)

Háblanos de tus filias y fobias musicales… ¿Cuáles son tus bandas y artistas preferidos tanto nacionales como internacionales?
Soy un consumidor comercial, no puedo negarlo. Sé que queda muy bien hablar de grupos que alejados de las grandes firmas de corte “indie”, pero suelo engullir música de todo tipo. Me encanta Niños mutantes y he disfrutado como un enano en un concierto de Sabina. Me sé los estribillos de Rozalén y he corrido maratones con Facto De la Fé. ¿Qué música no soporto? Lo siento mucho por grandes amigos, pero la música dura, el hard rock o el heavy más oscuro, lo dejo para otra vida.

¿Qué es lo que está sonando con más fuerza en tu reproductor de música en estos momentos?
Estoy en una época en la que necesito relajarme y artistas como Ludovico Einaudi o Max Richter, te lo ponen fácil. Un buen amigo me los recomendó y acertó.

¿Qué grupos o artistas nos recomendarías que hayas descubierto recientemente?
Portico Quarter, Elis Paprika, Azul Antena…

Portico Quartet – Ruins

¿En qué momentos y formatos sueles consumir música?
Lo hago siempre que salgo a entrenar, sobre todo en las tiradas largas y en el gimnasio. Siempre en mp3, a través del iPod o desde el Mac.

¿Eres persona de gustos musicales fijos, ortodoxos e integristas o has transitado por varios estilos y tendencias a lo largo de tu vida?
Me gusta variar. El concepto “veleta musical” va mucho conmigo aunque siempre hay productos “imperecederos” que van a estar ahí, en mi discoteca, siempre. Véase Raphael y su gran noche.

¿Cuáles son los 5 discos imprescindibles en la discoteca de Roberto Leal?
Joaquín Sabina: 19 días y 500 noches.
Kiko Veneno: Puro Veneno.
Chemical Brothers: Surrender.
El Pali: De Triana al Alosno.
SFDK: Odisea en el lodo.

Volvemos otra vez a tus gustos musicales, pero esta vez con una vertiente más audiovisual. ¿Cuáles son tus videos musicales de cabecera, aquellos que sueles revisar de vez en cuando…?
Queen – Elton John & Axel Rose (Bohemian Rhapsody) del Tributo a Mercury.

¿El videoclip que más te ha sorprendido últimamente?
OK Go (I Won’t Let You Down) MAGNÍFICO.

¿El videoclip comercial de éxito más nefasto desde tu punto de vista?
El Gangnam Style. Hasta en la sopa. NO.
Shakira, Gypsy. Véase el video.

Shakira – Gypsy

Además de periodista y escritor, sabemos que eres un gran artista y cantante de Carnavales además de autor de varias chirigotas con las que has llegado en varias ocasiones a actuar en el Gran Teatro Falla de Cádiz, epicentro de los Carnavales de Cádiz, una de las fiestas culturales más importantes de España. ¿De dónde te viene esa pasión por el Carnaval?
Aunque el carnaval sea una fiesta de “Cai Cai”, en Sevilla hay mucha afición. Desde pequeño siempre fui un enamorado de los carnavales de Cádiz. Debuté en el año 2000 y desde entonces no he podido dejarlo. Los que amamos esta fiesta sabemos que el carnaval tiene un “veneno” que cuando se cuela en tus venas, es imposible que salga jamás. No tiene cura, y esto es lo que lo hace diferente.

¿De dónde sueles sacar la inspiración para escribir y cantar?
La inspiración va y viene, lo más complicado es sacar tiempo. Pero cuando algo te gusta haces lo imposible por conseguirlo. He escrito muchos pasodobles y cuartetas en el trabajo ¿es el mejor sitio para encontrar la musa? Rotundamente, no. Pero no me ha quedado otra.

¿Te permite tu profesión dedicarle todo el tiempo que te gustaría a tu faceta artística?
No. Esta profesión te absorbe y estás “de guardia” las 24 horas. Pero es cierto que siempre he tenido claro que esto no deja de ser un trabajo y que las aficiones forman parte de mi vida. Trato de llevarme el trabajo a casa y disfrutar de las cosas que verdaderamente te han felices y te ayudan a desconectar. El carnaval, escribir y hacer deporte, entran dentro de mis “vicios”.

¿Qué proyectos tienes en mente como periodista y como escritor para el futuro?
Me gustaría seguir escribiendo y buscando la oportunidad de tocar algún día un formato de entretenimiento en televisión. Es algo con lo que siempre he soñado y sé que algún día llegara, como decía aquel: “estamos trabajando en ello”.

Esto es Creation 5 y siempre hacemos 5 peticiones a nuestros invitados… Teniendo en cuenta que eres letrista de Carnaval, dinos 5 temas de actualidad que se merecen sí o sí una letra bien crítica y corrosiva firmada por Roberto Leal…
– La corrupción nuestra de cada día…
– La lacra del paro…
– Fuga de cerebros…
– La consulta catalana…
– El pequeño Nicolás…

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Roberto Leal ha elegido nuestras Sunday Sessions. Hace clic aqui para verlas.

Sigue Roberto Leal en: Twitter, YouTube y Instagram.


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Happy Birthday Adam Levine!

By | Featured, Music

Adam Levine is now well into his 30s and seems to be improving with age like a fine wine. His career has never been better, his appearance has never been more on point and his musical journey has reached a peak that will leave a mark on the charts and in the history books. Dabbling in all avenues of the industry, there’s not a field he won’t explore, and it’s that attitude and charisma that has kept him on top. That same attitude however, has landed him in lots of trouble, but when you hear him explain himself it really doesn’t seem all that bad. After all, he is an artist.

“I can be a huge pain in the ass, huge pain in the ass. That’s part of who I am and there’s not a person I know who doesn’t think I’m a pain in the ass. But I’m also really nice and a completely affable and socially adept person. There’s a difference between being an asshole and a pain in the ass.”

“You wouldn’t be a complete band without a slightly cocky frontman, would you?”

“There are two kinds of men. There are men who are fucking misogynist pigs, and then there are men who really love women, who think they’re the most amazing people in the world. And that’s me. Maybe the reason I was promiscuous, and wanted to sleep with a lot of them, is that I love them so much.”

“Instinctively, monogamy is not in our genetic makeup. I have cheated. And you know what? There is nothing worse than the feeling of doing it.”

“I spend most of my life naked. In fact, I often have to be told by the people around me that it’s inappropriate to be as naked as I am.”

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Video Playlist:

Wheel of Musical Impressions on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Adam does not disappoint!

Adam Levine, Keira Knightly & Mark Ruffalo goof around promoting their movie 2013 ‘Begin Again’

On revealing his least sexiest traits.

Adam & Blake Shelton get personal when chatting about The Voice.

Ad-Am or Ad-Not? Levine plays a self-named game in discussing his likes and dislikes on Radio Fresh 102.

Another self-named game is played on the Ellen Degeneres show ‘Let Me Ad-Am!” With a sneaky surprise.

Some of his cutest moments captured on camera.

This playlist is available in Creation 5 under “Playlists”.


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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

By | Featured, Music

St. Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick’s Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

May the Irish hills caress you;
may her lakes and rivers bless you;
may the luck of the Irish enfold you;
may the blessings of St Patrick behold you

Everyone’s Irish on March 17 and celebrations are held all over the world. Our favourite tradition is in Chicago where they’ve been dying the river green every year since 1962!
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Here’s our Top 10 Irish sayings:

  1. May neighbours respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you.
  2. May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.
  3. “All the world’s a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed.” – Sean O’Casey
  4. It is better to spend money like there’s no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there’s no money!
  5. May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint!
  6. It’s easy to halve the potato where there’s love.
  7. May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
  8. May you die in bed at 95, shot by a jealous spouse.
  9. Here’s to women’s kisses, and to whiskey, amber clear. Not as sweet as a woman’s kiss, but a darn sight more sincere!
  10. A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures.

We’ve made a special St. Patrick’s Day playlist (17 songs) with our favourite Irish sounds in celebration of this special day. So pour a pint of Guinness and stick a shamrock in your cap tonight! Sláinte!

(Creation 5 users, you will find this playlist in the app under Playlists >> St Patrick’s Day 2015)


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Celebrities who spend millions on making a difference

By | Featured, Films, Music

This is a list of the top ten stars that utilise their position of fame and fortune to make a positive change in the world. They donate millions of dollars every year and dedicate massive amounts of their time to the causes they believe in.

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Angelina Jolie – Hollywood’s highest paid actress is a fully-fledged diplomat who uses her star power to draw significant attention to issues which may otherwise slip through the mainstream press. Jolie represents the UN Refugee Agency to other diplomats, governments and officials around the world. The oscar-winning actress first became personally aware of worldwide humanitarian crises while filming Tomb Raider in Cambodia. She promotes various causes, including conservation, education, and women’s rights, and is most noted for her advocacy on behalf of refugees as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As a public figure, Jolie has been cited as one of the most influential and powerful people in the American entertainment industry, a very useful tool when your goal is to make the world a better place.

Since 2001, Jolie has been on field missions around the world and met with refugees in more than 20 countries, including Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Cambodia, Pakistan, Thailand, Ecuador, Kosovo, Kenya, Namibia, Sri Lanka, North Caucasus, Jordan, Egypt, New Delhi, Costa Rica, Chad, Syria, Iraq and Haiti. The political meetings she attends and speaks at represents the powerful stature she holds in the world; speaking alongside international political leaders and highly influential intellectuals. As well as all her good work Jolie donates huge amounts of money; a large percentage of her earnings goes to all the various organisations and causes that she believes in so strongly. The Maleficent star reportedly donates all proceeds from any photographs the press buy of her and her family to charity, including the whopping $5 million received for her wedding photos.

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Elton John – Sir Elton has seen many of his close friends die from HIV/AIDS over the years, and established the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in 1992 to try to stem the destruction the disease causes around the world. To raise extra money for this foundation he holds a ball every year in his own home. The White Tie and Tiara party brings in a lot of cash from its celebrity guest list as do his post-Grammy and Oscar parties. He began his fund raising for HIV/AIDs back in the mid-80’s having lost many dear friends to the disease. EJAF has managed to raise more than $125 million which not only provides support for sufferers but funds prevention and education plus assistance on reducing discrimination and prejudice against those living with it. Elton not only raises the funds himself but he also forks out a lot of his own money towards all different charities. In 1997 $40 million was raised by the version of Candle in The Wind which he released in honour of Princess Diana just after her death. In 2004 he gave $43 million to various organisations. In 2008 he provided 120 motorbikes for doctors and nurses to be able to reach patients in the remote areas in Lesotho, Africa. All this makes Elton one of the most generous celebrities in the world.

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Bono – The U2 frontman is not only the leader of a band he is a leader in the fight against poverty and is regularly in contact with world leaders assisting his mission to improve the ways of the world. After meeting with President Sarkozy of France the president not only promised to restore 20 million Euros cut from the Global Fund to fight AIDS TB and malaria, he also said he would send through a plan to restore promised French aid trajectories in the next few weeks.
He has helped to launch many campaigns such as the ONE Campaign, DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa), (RED) (another AIDS charity) and EDUN (a clothing company which creates trade with poverty stricken countries). His early work began in Ethiopia where he and his wife created an education programme, then Nicaragua and El Salvador with the aim to help children. He helped to organise Amnesty International’s Conspiracy Of Hope tour in 1986. Following this he became involved in the Band Aid, Live Aid and later Live 8 events and projects with Bob Geldof. He often used his music to deliver messages and has written countless poignant songs with political themes, such as anti Apartheid song Silver and Gold. Bono received a knighthood from the Queen in 2007 and has been nominated for three Nobel Peace prizes.

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Oprah Winfrey – Oprah is a giver. She has truly established herself as an altruistic person dedicated to improving others’ lives. She has donated millions to many different charities such as the Clinton Foundation, Projet Cuddle and Free The Children, but generally focusses on three self-founded causes; The Angel Network, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation and The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation. The Angel Network, which she has used her talk show to publicise, is a charity designed to fund specific projects all over the world, such as Rebuilding the Gulf Coast and an Academy for girls in South Africa. ALL proceeds received by this foundation go towards such projects. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation is funded by an endowment and run exclusively by Oprah herself. She dedicates so much of her time and money to making the world a better place to live, helping others, and rebuilding broken lives. It is claimed that in her will she has left $1 billion to charity, so not only is she one of the most generous and conscientious celebrities on the planet she has become one of the greatest philanthropists of this Century.

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Ellen Degeneres – She lives up to her generous sounding name supporting many different organisations around the world and has won many awards for her charity work. She launched the Small Change Campaign alongside actor Ben Affleck to help benefit feeding America. She currently supports thirty-four different charities and non-profit organisations varying from Red Cross to STOMP Out Bullying. During the month of October, Ellen’s, Ellen for the Cure, campaign runs on her show to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Ellen is also widely known for her love of animals and her attempts to work with animal rights. Her show alone has managed to raise more than $50 million which she donated to various good causes.

Ellen uses her talk show as a way to help struggling families and individuals. Ellen has been included in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women and Entertainment Weekly’s 50 Most Powerful Entertainers. At the end of every episode Ellen finishes by saying, “Be kind to one another”, which promotes, not only being kind, but also treating everyone fairly and equally. Though they may not be traditional, Ellen DeGeneres does many things in her life that make her an excellent example of a modern day prophet.

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Brad Pitt – The other half of the Brangelina super duo is also no stranger to a charitable attitude. The father of six has become increasingly involved in environmental projects in the States and globally. He utilises his knowledge of architecture to assist in building environmentally friendly structures all over the world. Following the destruction brought by Hurricane Katrina, he became involved in designing and building eco-friendly, affordable large scale housing sites to help those affected by the disaster. “We’ve got to push to get these levees taken care of in the correct fashion,” Pitt told reporters at a news conference in the hurricane-ravaged working class neighbourhood. Brad generously donated $5 million. In October 2008, the first six homes were completed. In March 2009, Pitt met with US President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, promoting his concept of “green housing” as a national model, and discussed possibilities of federal funding. His commitment to aiding humanitarian causes all over the world is admirable and tireless, in 2006 he and his wife Angelina Jolie (co-founders of the Jolie-Pitt Foundation) gave over $8 million to various charities such as Doctors Without Borders, a UN refugee agency, African relief organisations, he doesn’t just give money, he also gives his time and resources and care.

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George Clooney – Founder of Not On Our Watch, George Clooney seems to have one of the most charitable hearts in Hollywood, alongside his co-founders and co-stars of Ocean’s Eleven Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle and Matt Damon, plus producer Jerry Weintraub. This organisation is against genocide in Sudan and focuses on helping the poverty stricken sufferers in the affected areas. Human rights activist Clooney has visited the region and spoken personally with victims of rape, torture, poverty and desperation. Thanks to his influence and the pull of the famous faces involved the charity has donated millions of dollars (substantial amounts of which came from Clooney himself) to the affected people alongside the Untied Nations World Food Programme.

His belief in the cause stretches as far as auctioning himself in order to raise funds for charity. At the movie premiere party for Ocean’s 13 he offered up his own personal time to hang out with the highest bidder, all proceeds of which went to Realising The Dream, which continues the work started by Dr. & Mrs King to help eradicate poverty and injustice. Thanks to his dedication, support and consistent donations he was named United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2008 to help raise awareness for peacekeeping around the world. Clooney also supports Bono’s charity the ONE Campaign which fights against poverty and is a trustee for the United Way, he took part in the Tribute to Heroes telethon supporting the victims of 9/11 and even got arrested during a peaceful protest at the Sudanese embassy in Washington D.C.

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Paul MacCartney – The legendary Beatles member has done his fair share of fund raising, beginning back when he sadly lost his wife Linda to breast cancer. Inspired by her loss and in her honour he hosted PETA’s Party of the Century gala in 1999, carrying on her care work for the protection of animals. He then went on to use his talents to raise money when he wrote and released an album from which the proceeds were donated to The Garland Appeal, a fund aiding cancer patients. He has also taken part in many fundraising concerts including Live Aid, Live 8 and Concert for New York City and Concerts for the People of Kampuchea.
He supports countless charities including Adopt-A-Minefield, to which he donated $1 million which he received as payment for performing a private concert.
Inspired by his late wife and his daughters, Mary and Stella, Paul is a Patron of the Vegetarian Society: “As Patron, I am more than pleased and proud to be associated with the Vegetarian Society and to show my support for its work. If you think about it, what could be better than enjoying great tasting food that is not only good for your health, but also far better for the planet and the creatures that live with us upon it?” Good old Macca has got his charitable fingers in many pies, vegetarian ones only of course!

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Madonna – “It has pretty much taken over my life, and I’m so grateful it has…I’ve started an organisation called Raising Malawi…and any of your help would be greatly appreciated by me.” – Madonna. In 2006 Madonna and Michael Berg founded Raising Malawi, a non-profit organisation supporting community-based projects that provide vulnerable children and caregivers with nutritious food, proper clothing, secure shelter, formal education, targeted medical care, emotional care and psychosocial support. In addition, Raising Malawi supports non-government foundations that offer impoverished families with innovative opportunities for sustainability such as Millennium Promise (a non-profit which works towards the halving extreme poverty in Africa by 2015) and International Medical Corps (a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organisation dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs). For every dollar that is raised and donated to Raising Malawi Madonna matches it with one from her own pocket. She also works closely with SocialVibe which is a social media utility encouraging big brands to sponsor and benefit causes of their choice. She actively gives money to many causes, many relating to children, and is a dedicated patron of Children of Peace.

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Jessica Alba – Jessica Alba is an actress, activist, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and works to fight against environmental issues, for children’s health and helping families in need. Jessica was in the top twenty of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, one of CNBC’s Next List of Rebels, Leaders and Innovators and one of Fortune’s 10 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs. She has been named part of Vanity Fair’s Next Establishment, Entrepreneur of the Year at the UK Glamour Women of the Year Awards and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. She is also the recipient of the Entertainment Media Association’s Green Parent Award and the Mt. Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center Champion for Children Award.

Her company; The Honest Company – honest.com – promotes sustainability, aims to make a difference within communtities, supports more than 100 non-profit organisations which work to fight against social and health issues affecting children and families. Honest delivers safe, effective, accessible and stylish non-toxic family and lifestyle goods…such as nappies, childcare products, cleaning products, hygiene products and health products. Every purchase results in a donation to families in need. The company has won countless awards for its work. Alba also actively supports V-Day, Declare Yourself, Baby2Baby, The MaxLove Project, SOS Children’s Villages, Step Up Women’s Network, Children’s Defense Fund, Healthy Child Healthy World and VotoLatino. She is an international ambassador for 1Goal which is a campaign supported by the World Cup to improve global education.


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The Apple Watch – everything you need to know

By | Featured, Hot News

Yesterday (March 9), Apple gave the world a second taste of their most personal device yet, the Apple Watch. Much has changed since their September event, so here’s a final look before the Apple Watch goes on sale on April 24, 2015.

When can I buy the Apple Watch?

Apple confirmed the official launch date will be April 24 for Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

You can pre-order your Apple Watch starting April 10.

The Watch Reimagined

Sport Edition, Apple Watch and Edition – what’s the difference?

The Apple Watch has many different pricing options – big or small? Aluminum, stainless steel or gold? Plastic, leather or metal bands? Bare with us as we break it down:

Apple Watch Sport Edition

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The Apple Watch Sport Edition is their lowest-tier smart watch. It’s made of a special anodized aluminum that is said to be 60% stronger than a standard alloy and has a shatter-resistant Gorilla Glass screen.

Apple Watch Sport – Aluminum

You can get the Sport Edition in silver or space gray, in both 38mm and 42mm screen sizes. Only the Sport Strap is compatible with the Sport Edition, which comes in a wide range of colors.

The Apple Watch Sport Edition goes on sale for $350 for the 38mm, and $400 for the 42mm screen size. The Sport Strap is included in the price, but is available for $50 separately.

Apple Watch

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The Apple Watch is Apple’s mid-tier option, which is made of Apple’s own cold-forged stainless steel, said to be 80% harder than normal stainless steel, and scratch-resistant Sapphire Crystal.

Apple Watch – Steel

The Apple Watch is available in polished silver and glossy Space Black, again in 38mm and 42mm screen sizes. Every strap will fit the Apple Watch, which gives you plenty of options. The Apple Watch goes on sale for $550-$1050 for the 38mm, and $600-$1100 for the 42mm, depending on which strap you choose.

If you’re in the mood for a different strap, you can purchase them individually:
Sport band: $50
Leather loop, Classic buckle or Milanese loop: $150
Modern buckle: $250
Link Bracelet: $450

Apple Watch Edition

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Yes, this is the 18-karat gold one. The 18-karat gold was developed specifically by Apple and is said to be twice as hard as standard gold. The Edition comes with the same Sapphire Crystal scratch-resistant screen, and will be available in limited quantities in select countries.

Apple Watch Edition – Gold

The Apple Watch Edition is available in 18-karat rose gold or 18-karat yellow gold, in both 38mm and 42mm. The Apple Watch Edition starts at $10,000, and based on Apple’s online store, stretches up to $17,000.

How do I navigate the Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch has several inputs.

Digital Crown

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The Digital Crown is exactly what it’s name implies, instead of setting the time like a crown does on a watch, it controls the Apple Watch’s interface. It reminds us of the classic iPod’s click wheel. Press the crown to wake the watch, displaying the time. Pressing the crown once more brings you to the app screen. Zoom in and out by turning the crown, and tap on an app to launch it.

The Digital Crown has app-specific functions, like zooming in Apple’s Maps app, as can the Photos app.

Force Touch

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Force Touch is Apple’s new pressure-sensitive touchscreen. Electrodes around the display allow it to distinguish a hard press from a tap. This allows a wide range of extra functions without cluttering the interface.

Siri

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Apple’s Siri can also be used on the Apple Watch. The most obvious use is replying to text messages – you can use a default reply, tap on an impossibly small keyboard or simply dictate a message for Siri, without ever pulling out your iPhone. You can also use it to ask for information about local cinemas, traffic, and more.

Contacts button

There’s an extra button under the Digital Crown. This pulls up your contact list, and has different functions based on the app you’re using.

What does the Apple Watch do?

Several first- and third-party apps will ship with the Apple Watch. The watch is designed to work as an extension to your iPhone, not replace it. The Music app will let you play music from your watch’s local library or your iPhone’s using the watch’s speaker. Most of the default iPhone applications will be available on the Watch as well.

Third-party apps include Facebook, the Nike+ Running app tracking your activity, Dark Sky for weather forecasting. Ebay will let you purchase things from your wrist.

The Apple Watch will also be NFC-enabled, allowing you to pay with Apple Pay. Apple has also claimed that the watch will eventually replace your car keys and hotel room keys.

How does it connect to my iPhone?

Apple’s latest iOS update (8.2) released today includes a new Apple Watch companion app. You can access the watch-specific App Store, set reminders, create automatic responses to messages, and much more.

It’s been confirmed that the Apple Watch requires an iPhone to work. Without the companion app, no changes can be made to the watch.

How does the watch work as a fitness tracker?

Apple’s Fitness app uses the built-in heart rate monitor, your iPhone’s GPS and an accelerometer to monitor your activity throughout the day. During a heavy workout, the watch can be used to show specific information on the intensity of your workout.

Apple Watch + Christy Turlington Burns

The core of the Fitness app are the “Rings”: the move ring, the exercise ring and the stand ring. These are all designed to make you sit less and move more.

The move ring determines how active you actually are during the day. The exercise ring tracks your exercise, and is completed when you spend 30 minutes exercising. Lastly, the stand ring monitors how long you’ve been sitting, and regularly reminds you to stand up and stretch.

The dedicated fitness app lets you set how fast you want to run, how far or for how long. You can set daily calorie goals, and earn awards that are shown on your iPhone’s fitness tracker.

The Apple Watch was originally meant to ship with a wide array of health sensors. Due to many obstacles during development, these were ultimately dropped.

How long does the battery last?

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The Apple Watch’s battery is supposedly meant to last 18 hours, or up to 72 hours on “Power Reserve” mode. In Power Reserve mode, the watch will no longer show notifications, and lose functionality. This mode will turn on by default when the battery reaches 10% charge.

The Apple Watch has a claimed life of up to 3 hours of talk time, 6.5 hours for Bluetooth audio playback, 7 hours of workout with the heart rate sensor on and 48 hours of timekeeping.

The charging times are listed as 1.5 hours from 0%-80%, and 2.5 hours from 0%-100%. The tests are based off 45 minutes of app usage and a 30-minute workout with music playing over Bluetooth, including 90 time checks and 90 notification views over the course of 18 hours.


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The Top 10 Models in the World Right Now

By | Featured, Luxury Life

Fashion is an ever-changing industry and with the rise of social media so emerges a whole new world of model life. These days you can get up close and personal to the people that are taking the fashion world by storm via their Instagram, Twitter and Blog accounts. See behind the scenes action at all the top fashion weeks, have an insight into the life of a top model, check out what they wear on their day off and even what they get up to at the weekend…the high life, the social life and the work life. The following cat walkers are THE ones to follow right now as they become the latest buzz words of the modelling, fashion, music, film and socialite world. We present the Top 10 Models in the World Right Now.

Edie Campbell

Named Model of The Year 2013, Edie Campbell’s modelling career took off like a rocket after appearing in a Vogue shoot crafted by the photo-genius Mario Testino. She was in a story about up and coming young Londoners.Testino took a shine to Campbell as she then featured in the following Burberry campaign with the legendary Kate Moss. Westbourne Grove-born Edie Campbell then caused a sensation when she opened Marc Jacobs’s historic final show in Paris for Louis Vuitton wearing nothing but a G-string, embroidered bangles, and some strategically placed Vuitton-monogram body paint. She blazed through Paris Fashion Week, appearing in the Balenciaga, Chanel, Givenchy, and Christian Dior shows, and also opening Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen. Not to mention the campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander, Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, and Lanvin she already has under her belt. Edie has become a favourite of Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel, so much so that she got to close the S/S 2012 as the “bride”… a huge achievement and honour for any model. She’s no stranger to magazine covers and in 2013 Campbell graced the cover of both the April British Vogue and Vogue Italia, German Vogue and LOVE magazine in the Autumn/Winter issue. She has also more recently appeared on the cover of Self Service Magazine, i-D magazine, Vogue Japan, and Vogue Italia. She has a very grounded and interesting outlook on life and is the kind of next-door-tomboy with a secret kind of girl!
Twitter: @ebcampbell   Instagram: @ediebcampbell

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Riley Montana

Montana starred in the Givenchy spring campaign alongside singer Erykah Badu which launched her career to a new level. She has done some pretty impressive runway mileage in all the four fashion week cities that matter, for Oscar de la Rentaa, Nina Ricci, Erdem and Bottega Veneta. Montana is out to get an American Vogue cover under her belt because “we don’t really get it that much. I want it so bad”, the New York based Detroit girl has featured in Vogue Paris, Harper’s Bazaar UK and Numero magazines. As well as the requisite backstage selfies, her Instagram account features adorable and goofy moments from her everyday life—look out for her hilarious car-seat dance video. Watch out for Montana, this brown beauty is on a winning streak.
Instagram: @loveme_rileym
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Cara Delevigne

One of the biggest names in the fashion world since the days of Kate Moss and the waif movement. Cara and her eyebrows and her penchant for fun, games, maybe even girls, has grabbed the limelight, not to mention her beauty and catwalk achievements. Since her signing to Storm Model Management in 2009 she has worked with Burberry, Vogue Italia, Cadbury, Tom Ford, Saint Laurent, Zara, Chanel, Moschino, D&G, Stella McCartney, DKNY, Blumarine, Clements Ribero, Shiatzy Chen, Jason Wu, Fendi, Lanvin, Dsquared, Vogue UK, Victoria’s Secret…the list is literally endless. Aside from conquering the modeling world she has gone on to star in movies, having a small role in Anna Karenina,The Face of an Angel, and is due to appear in the 2015 film Pan.
Delevingne is a busy girl but she is also a fun-loving lady and her social media efforts represent this well. She is one of the most invited girls on the block, you’ll see her at all the biggest parties and premieres. She’s always on the list!
Twitter: @Caradelevingne
Blog: iamcaradelevingne.tumblr.com
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Sam Rollinson

With a little more than a year of runway experience under her belt, Rollinson joins the ranks of Edie Campbell and Cara Delevingne as one of the hottest Brit models of the moment. Her new Louise Brooks–style bob stole the show at Rodarte and Derek Lam and gained rock ’n’ roll momentum at Anthony Vaccarello and Saint Laurent. Her best Instagram moments are usually framed with Kawaii-style emoticons and a ton of fun. You may recognise Doncaster-born Rollinson from the infamous Burberry campaigns with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Douglas Booth, but the Brit model is so much more than that campaign. Renowned for her runway strut, the model bagged slots at the major A/W13 shows in all four fashion weeks – Christopher Kane in London, Louis Vuitton in Paris, Alexander Wang in New York, and Prada in Milan. Her razor sharp bone structure and piercing blue eyes have made her a serious contender lately. She secured A/W campaigns at Sonia Rykiel and Kurt Geiger – having already had Balenciaga and Zara – and is one of the most editorially sought-after models of the moment. Although she’s running in the same circles as Cara, Rollinson has independently captured the fashion elite with her northern charm.
Twitter: @SamRollinson
Instagram: @samrollinson

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Georgia May Jagger

Being the youngest of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall’s brood, Georgia May inherited all of her parents’ best qualities, including her mother’s alluring gap-toothed smile and had a fail-safe introduction into the fashion world. She’s been on the rise on the runway in a major way in the past couple of seasons, (see Rag & Bone and Tom Ford Autumn 2014 for reference). She has worked for Chanel, Hudson Jeans, H&M, Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Rimmel and Versace. October 2014 saw Jagger appear in an international campaign for Thomas Sabo’s ‘Glam & Soul’ and ‘Karma Beads’ Ladies Collections. The short film campaign, which was widely distributed over digital and social media as well, was shot by famous fashion/rock ‘n roll photographer Ellen von Unwerth. She is a face of Brit fashion, appearing alongside all the biggest names at the Olympics closing ceremony with Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Jagger loves her Instagram outlet, and fills it with family and friends (like Cara Delevingne) as much as she does fashion.
Twitter: @GeorgiaMJagger
Instagram: @georgiamayjagger

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Binx Walton

This girl is so ‘now’! Model of the minute Walton has brought a sense of play and personality to Fashion Week since she burst onto the scene last season. She loves to longboard – check out her feed and believe that she knows how to Ollie! She’s got a quirky style with her asymmetric crop hairdo and falls into fits of giggles while skipping down the runway. Celine, Saint Laurent, and Stella McCartney were her most notable achievements on the catwalk and don’t forget the campaigns for Tom Ford, Coach, Public School, Chanel, Balmain, Maiyet, and Céline. She’s the Face of and design collaborator for Superga, has modeled for Sacai x Nike collaboration. Her real name is Leona Walton but she got her nickname after Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars. Binx was discovered at the tender age of 13, making her debut at the Marc Jacobs autumn/winter 2013 show.
Instagram: @binxwalton
Twitter: @WaltonLeona

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Suki Waterhouse

British beauty Waterhouse is the face of Burberry. She is the girlfriend of Bradley Cooper, yes really. The London It girl already had two magazine covers to her name when she took to the runway for the first time for Burberry; Cooper was there in the front row showing support. Not only is she in a long-term relationship with a Hollywood heart-throb she is the face of Burberry and has just turned heads with their latest (her seventh) campaign featuring her naked bar a scarf and up close and personal with a male model George Le Page. Waterhouse began her modelling career after being discovered in a pub in her native London when she was just 16. Since that day she has worked for M&S, Alive & Olivia, Vogue, H&M, Swatch, Tatler, Elle UK, for example!
Waterhouse dated The Kooks’ front man Luke Pritchard in 2011, followed by Last Shadow Puppets singer Miles Kane until Feb 2013, from which she moved on to the one and only Bradley Cooper in March 2013. The English Rose plans to follow her boyfriend’s footsteps into Hollywood starring in the new rom-com Love, Rosie alongside Lily Collins as well as the movies Rachael and Pusher and TV series Material Girl. She has taken her feed take to a new cinematic dimension which is definitely worth a peek.
Instagram/Twitter: @sukiwaterhouse
Fan Blog: http://waterhouseintl.tumblr.com

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Kendall Jenner

You can’t help but know Kendall Jenner these days, she is everywhere. Being the sister of Kim Kardashian didn’t do any harm, but having been the lesser known of the Jenner/Kardashian family, she has made her own way in the world and made a massive name for herself having become the face of Estée Lauder, modeled for Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Chanel, and Alexander Wang and been named “World’s Coolest Woman” by GQ magazine in 2015. Her career has grown massively in the last year, even though it’s widely rumored that her fellow models harass her due to her pre-established fame, we believe she has earned her place. Her runway appearances for Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, and Chanel Haute Couture prove that it doesn’t matter if she’s a reality star anymore—she’s worth her weight in name-brand modeling power. Jenner is known for posting celebrity selfies and career updates to her many, many followers on social media.
Twitter: @KendallJenner
Instagram: @kendalljenner

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Barbara Palvin

You might recognize Barbara from the UNIQLO “Model T” campaign with Pharrell Williams? If not then the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012 might ring a bell or failing that look back to her runway debut at Milan Fashion Week in 2010. She also featured on December 2014 and January 2015 Covers of Vogue Portugal, and January 2015 cover of Elle Brazil. Palvin was discovered on the streets of Budapest in 2006 at the age of 13 and since then has steadily climbed the ladder of the fashion world being compared to a young Brooke Shields and Natalia Vodianova. She has also and modeled for Prada, Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci, Miu Miu, Vivienne Westwood, Etro, Chanel, Armani Exchange, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Pull and Bear and L’Oréal Paris and that’s not the full list. But we won’t bore you; just take a look at her social media accounts to find out more about the Hungarian beauty.
Twitter: @BarbaraPalvin
Instagram: @realbarbarapalvin

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Jourdan Dunn

“Model of the Year” at 2008 British Fashion Awards, Dunn modeled in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show from 2012 to 2014, she’s the face of Maybelline New York, is the host of web series “Well Dunn” and featured in Beyoncé’s “Yonce” video. Another London-born beauty Dunn is one of our favorites having been ‘discovered’ wandering around Primark by a Storm models representative. Recent accomplishments include Dunn’s cover of British Vogue (becoming the first solo model of African descent to grace the cover in 12 years) modeling in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show, and becoming the face of Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2015 campaign alongside Naomi Campbell. If you’re looking to see more of Dunn off the runway, head over to Jay-Z’s ‘Life + Times’ site, where she hosts the previously mentioned cooking show titled “Well Dunn”.
Twitter: @missjourdandunn
Instagram: @officialjdunn

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Top 10 Richest Recording Artists 2015

By | Featured, Luxury Life, Music

Most of the following artists have been around for quite a while but are amongst some of the most famous names, faces and voices on the planet not to mention the richest! These stars have, and are still, raking it in by the millions and none of them show any sign of slowing down in the near future. We wonder how long it will be before the likes of Miss Swift will be joining the big leagues of the Top 10 Richest Recording Artists right now…

10-Beyonce

10. BEYONCÉ KNOWLES: $440 million
The more attractive half of the super-couple that are Queen B and her beau Jay-Z are worth a royal $950 million plus between them. Scraping the billionaire mark as a couple the two do not fare badly as individuals (both appear on this list). Beyoncé, 33, has made a huge name for herself as a solo recording artist since her split with Destiny’s Child back in 2005, as well as having her own clothing brand, and entertainment and management company Parkwood Entertainment, plus starring in blockbuster movies as a little sideline. On stage, her dynamic, highly choreographed performances have led to critics hailing her as one of the best entertainers in the pop world. Her career is to date 18 years old, during which she has sold over 75 million records as a solo artist, and that’s not including the 60 million sold with Destiny’s Child, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She has won 20 Grammy Awards making her the most nominated woman in the award’s history. Add it all together and you’re looking at the 10th richest person in the recording world. 

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9. ELTON JOHN: $450 million
Four decades on and the Rocket Man is still knocking out tunes like there’s no tomorrow at age 67. He has worked on around thirty albums, had countless top 10 hits, wrote the score to The Lion King, he has the best selling single of all time (Candle In The Wind) under his belt, six Grammys, five Brits, he hosts the annual Oscars party, he has won an Oscar (and many more movie related awards), he is one of the most successful and influential music stars of all time, he is in a couple of halls of fame and oh did we mention the OBE? He has a penchant for splashing out and doesn’t mind spending his hard earned cash; Elton is reported to spend around 1.5 million per month, so we could safely say he’d be higher up this list if he were better at saving! 

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8. JAY Z: $520 million
Thanks to his rapping skills, entrepreneurialism and record producing, Jay Z not only manages to top the charts but also comes 8th on the rich list. He has sold over 100 million records and won 19 Grammys! Aside from his countless Nº1 tracks his head for business has earned him his own chain of clubs (40/40), a clothing brand Rocawear (which he sold back in 2007 for around $200 million!), a record label; Roc-A-Fella Records and he is the founder of Roc Nation. Sports agency Roc Nation Sports also has the Jay Z stamp on it and Mr. Carter also happens to be a certified NBA and MLB agent. Oh yeah and he bagged one of the hottest women on the planet to boot. Now that’s rich.

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7. MARIAH CAREY: $530 million
Back in the 90’s Miss Carey was Columbia Records hottest property selling millions of records, everything she touched, or rather sang, turned to gold. She dipped a toe into the acting world, most of which went terribly wrong but she did get a shining moment when she earned herself a couple of awards for her supporting role in Precious. Mimi, as she is affectionately known, has had 18 Nº1’s in America (a record breaker), has now sold over 200 million records, has won over 60 music awards, she was honored as the world’s best-selling recording artist of the 1990s at the World Music Awards in 1998, she was named best-selling female artist of the millennium in 2000 and she is the third-best-selling female artist in the US. Not a bad résumé. 

6-Bono

6. BONO: $590 million
Paul David Hewson, much better known as Bono and the lead singer of U2, has sold over 150 million records, earned 22 Grammy awards and sells out in seconds whenever U2 go on tour. Bono’s work extends farther than the reaches of his band as he also does a lot of charity work (he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on several occasions) having co-founded the organizations DATA, EDUN and the Red Project, which fights the battle against third-world debt and AIDS in Africa. Obviously this is not a money earner for Bono, he is also a businessman having co-founded Elevation Partners – a private equity firm which has investments in some of the biggest business in the world; Forbes Media Group and Facebook to name but two. He also owns The Clarence (five star) Hotel in Ireland with ‘The Edge’.

5-Celine

5. CELINE DION: $630 million
The Canadian songstress famous for her powerful voice has come a long way since her early fame in the French speaking world. Since the 90’s and her launch into global success she has become one of most successful artists of all time, being named best-selling Canadian artist of all time, and one of the best-selling artists of all time. In 2002 she was contracted to perform in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace which sold out practically every show in its five year run. Other Dion business endeavours include
Feeling Inc. her artist management company based in Laval, Québec, she also owned and sold Nickels Restaurant food chain, Le Mirage Golf Club and Schwartz’s Restaurant. Following the success at Caesar’s Palace she, alongside Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and Shaquille O’Neal opened a popular night club called Pure, located at the Vegas landmark. Celine Dion Parfums has grossed over $850 million in sales! Due to the declining health of her husband and emotional difficulties Dion has indefinitely recoiled from the limelight but she retains her position as 5th wealthiest singer. 

4-McCartney

4. PAUL MCCARTNEY: $660 million
The Liverpudlian goes from strength to strength, not only famous for his Beatles days, Macca has helped write and continues to write countless songs, collaborated with every name in the industry,  is involved in production, film, concerts, cartoons, and many businesses. His achievements are overwhelming and could not possibly fit into a couple of paragraphs. All this rightfully earns him the Nº3 spot on the rich list, but probably also the accomplishment and popularity list too. 

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3. SEAN JEAN COMBS: $700 million
Harlem born boy Combs, aka Puff Daddy, Diddy and P. Diddy founded Bad Boy Records in 1993. Since then he has made a fortune from the artists he signed but also released his own music to contribute to his super success story. Three Grammys and two MTV awards later he also dipped his fingers into some non-music oriented pies.  Clothing line ‘Sean John’ and ‘Sean by Sean Combs’, a movie production company, music cable network Revolt TV, an alliance with Ciroc Vodka and two restaurants make our ‘Daddy’ one of the richest music stars on the planet.

2-Dr-Dre

2. DR. DRE: $780 million
Despite being a successful rapper, hip hop artist, DJ and being famous for making some groundbreaking music in the hip-hop world Dre’s fortune really came when, in 2008, he was commissioned by Monster Cable Products to design a line of premium headphones. He would eventually co-found and co-own the headphone company Beats by Dre. On May 28, 2014, Apple Inc officially confirmed that it was acquiring Beats by Dre for $3 billion ($2.6 billion in cash and $400 million in stock). At the time of the sale, Dre owned 25% of Beats. When combined with Dre’s separate $280 million fortune from music, he is now officially worth $780 million!

1-Madonna

1. MADONNA: $800 million
The original pop chameleon has changed her image so many times in her 4 decade spanning (so far) career, yet each persona is just as recognisable as the last. From her early True Blue days to Vogue, Material Girl, Like a Prayer, Justify my Love, Music, American Pie, Evita…the list is endless as are her costume and image changes. She has sold over 300 million records, is the best-selling female recording artist, top touring female artist, and most successful solo artist in the history of the American singles chart.  Her music has managed to adapt throughout the years to be on point and up with change, bringing her pop background and combining it with the sounds of the times. R&B, Hip Hop, Dance, Electronic Dance, there’s nothing Madge cannot conquer. Business wise she has achieved so much having turned her hand to writing children’s books, acting, charity work, fashion, a chain of fitness centres, directing movies, and so on and so forth. She has become a business machine and one of the most successful and well known women in history. 


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New Creation Product – CDJ

By | Featured, Hot News, Press Release

Creation manufactures all sorts of state-of-the-art tech products – we make technology easy to use and beautiful to behold. Our latest product is CDJ – an elegant workspace for DJing. Already endorsed by top DJs this is a serious workstation! No wires, no mess, no clutter, everything to hand.

This space saving table has a minimal and contemporary design and would suit any DJ that is interested in organising some serious sounds! It’s completely customizable with the wood and trimmings available to your personal specifications. We’ve built our first one and they are now available to order exclusively from Creation.

Take a look at the images below! Contact us here if you would like to receive more information.

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