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Monday, February 28, 2011
When she was unceremoniously dumped from "Homicide" at the end of its fifth season, Ms. Leo said collateral damage from her then-messy personal life and the flinty realness of her Kay Howard character marked her as damaged goods on a show belatedly striving for higher ratings.
Unable to find a steady network gig after "Homicide," Ms. Leo entered what she described to Ms. Gross as a career dry spell. She reprised her role as Kay Howard in "Homicide: The Movie" in 2000, but by then she had set her eye on the big screen, where the perception of being a "gritty gal" didn't work against her.
Ms. Leo had a series of small roles in small movies, the most memorable in "21 Grams" (2003) until her star turn as an impoverished trailer park mom turned illegal alien smuggler in "Frozen River" (2008).
Ms. Leo got her first taste of major industry respect that year when she was nominated for more than a dozen awards, including the Oscar for best actress in "Frozen River."
"Homicide" creator David Simon took a second look at the actress NBC fired in 1997 and hired her to play ACLU lawyer Toni Bernette in HBO's post-Katrina drama, "Treme."
When Ms. Leo signed on to play Alice Ward, the mother of boxers Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and Dicky Eklund (Christopher Bale), she became the spark that ignited "The Fighter" whenever she was on screen. Despite being only a decade older than Mr. Wahlberg, Ms. Leo learned enough from observing the real Alice Ward to make her role as his mother work.
On Sunday, Ms. Leo capped an extraordinary year by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Fighter."
Having cleaned up more than half the regional critics' honors already, she was, justifiably, the front-runner. Still, hearing her name called on Hollywood's most prestigious night was not the kind of industry respect Ms. Leo was used to.
A self-promotional Oscar campaign in which she took out trade ads had landed her in hot water a few weeks ago. There was some talk that an industry backlash might deny her the coveted award.
Perhaps Ms. Leo was more relieved that the pessimists were wrong about her chances than she was surprised at her win when she uttered the first televised f-bomb in the history of the Oscars during her acceptance speech.
The censors caught it in time, but the happy outburst landed her a spot in Oscars infamy alongside the streaker who interrupted David Niven's speech during the 1974 broadcast.
Calculated or not, Ms. Leo's exuberance provided an otherwise dull show with one of its few genuinely interesting moments.
My affection for Ms. Leo began when I visited the set of "Homicide" in 1996. I interviewed the entire cast, but my time with the actress was particularly memorable.
Unlike the character she played, Ms. Leo had a wicked sense of humor. She was also far more attractive and articulate in person than her laconic character on TV.
Hours after our interview, our paths crossed again on the sound stage. That's when she insisted on taking me to where the cast and crew hung out for lunch. She escorted me around the set like an old friend instead of a nosy fan pretending to be a journalist.
When Colin Firth, 50, won his own Oscar for best actor Sunday, he quipped, "I have a feeling my career just peaked."
Ms. Leo, also 50, probably isn't giving much thought to the "curse" said to befall actresses trying to find meaty roles after they land an Oscar. She has been fortunate enough to never have been a pretty ingenue waiting for the phone to ring, so her hustling will never end.
Instead of peaking, Melissa Leo is just getting started.
Credit : Pittsburgh Post Gazette
The rapper has almost 29 million 'likes', according to Famecount.com
Meanwhile, Gaga, who briefly held the title after unseating U.S. President Barack Obama, is less than a million behind him.
Only the late Michael Jackson has more Facebook followers - with just over 29 million, reports the Daily Star.
Famecount.com bosses note that Eminem's Facebook fanbase is greater than the population of Luxembourg.
Rihanna, Ciara get into cyber catfight on Twitter
The two pop divas-and former flames of Chris Brown-got into a war of words after Ciara took a hit at the Barbados beauty on E!'s Fashion Police, reports the New York Daily News.
"I ran into her recently at a party. She wasn't the nicest," the 25-year-old recounted of Rihanna to Joan Rivers.
"It's crazy because I've always loved and respected what she's done in fashion... It wasn't the most pleasant run-in."
Rihanna apparently got wind of Ciara's remarks and tweeted, "My bad Ci, did I forget to tip you?," later adding "U gangsta huh?"
Ciara fought back on Twitter, posting "Trust me Rihanna you don't want to see me on or off the stage," to which the Disurbia singer replied "Good luck with booking that stage u speak of."
Before things got uglier, Rihanna called a truce. "Ciara baby, I love you girl!" she Tweeted. "You hurt my feelings real bad on TV! I'm heartbroken! That's why I retaliated this way! So sorry! Let's make up."
Ciara accepted the offer.
"Rhi, u know its always been love since day 1! Doing shows and everything," she wrote. "You threw me off in that party! Apology accepted. Let's chat in person."
Fresh-scrubbed.Look, kittens. It's like this. The Oscars red carpet was unusually tasteful and/or stylish this year, which means the real bitchery flowed when we got to the after-parties. Since it's kind of boring to talk about a succession of male celebrities in tuxedos in any case ("Nice, fit. Hem's too long. Fit's not bad. Hem's too long. We hate black shirts."), it's even more boring when so many stars are on their best behavior. Suffice it to say, we hate black shirts, the hems are too long on almost every pair of pants, Colin Firth gets it right, we love Javier Bardem's vest, Josh Hutcherson is adorable, Justin Timberlake looks more and more like a serial killer the older he gets, Keith Urban's hair frightens us and Christian Bale has been sleeping in that thing for six weeks.
Feel free to opinionate on the rest of them. And play FMK. Here, we'll start:
Fuck: Hugh Jackman.
Marry: Javier Bardem
Kill: Justin Timberlake, of course. It's only a matter of time before he goes after someone. Just look at him.
Andrew Garfield 
Armie Hammer 
Bill Pullman 
Christian Bale 
Colin Firth 
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross 
Geoffrey Rush 
Hugh Jackman 
Javier Bardem 
Jeremy Renner 
Jesse Eisenberg 
John Hawkes 
Josh Brolin 
Josh Hutcherson 
Justin Timberlake in Tom Ford 
Keith Urban 
Kevin Spacey 
Mark Ruffalo 
Mark Wahlberg 
Robert Downey Jr. 
Russell Brand 
Sean Parker 
Steven Spielberg 
Tim Burton 
Warren Beatty 
Zachary Levy[Photo Credit: wireimage]
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Labels: Fashion, Oscars, Red Carpet
Keep it moving, people!Okay, our dinner has arrived and we are currently scarfing down takeout while throwing up posts (and that was an unintentional pun which we will not edit because the imagery is inadvertently colorful) because we are COMMITTED FASHION BLOGGERS and last night was like the Superbowl of fashion. We will not rest until we have exhausted the possibilities. Or at least get this and one more post about the boys up. Then we sleep the sleep of bloggers and get to the Elton John party tomorrow. Sound like a plan? Alrighty then! Let's rip these clothes!
Adrianna Costa Enh. Pretty. Standard. On any other occasion it could even be called "spectacular," but on Oscar night, such a dress fades into the background. It's Big Girl time on the red carpet and Oscar don't have no room for amateurs, girl.
Anna Kendrick in Notte by MarchesaShe looks like a box of assorted chocolates.
Barry Diller and Diane von FurstenbergOh, come ON, Diane. We don't like to sling the "You're getting a little old for..." but HONEY, you're getting a little old for the inadvertent strap slip. Sure, it might be unintentional, but this is not a woman who doesn't pay attention to the clothes on her back, especially when she's getting her picture taken. Besides, we also hate the marmosets clinging to her upper arms, the jewelry, and the dress itself. So basically, DVF gets an F. Shocking.
Brooklyn Decker in Joi Cioci Boobslyn Racker is more like it.
Camila Alves (in Zuhair Murad Spring 2011 Couture) and Matthew McConaughey
Dianna Agron in Salvatore FerragamoYikes. Honey, we don't want to alarm you but, whoever dressed you? Hates you. The length doesn't flatter her and her waist disappeared. Hair's kind of cute but the makeup looks heavy. So apparently, you can still trust your hair gay and fire your makeup and stylist gays for being bitches.
Donald Trump and Melania TrumpStandard trophy wife attire.
Eli Roth He's fine.
Gabrielle UnionWe love it. Sure, it's in many respects a typical Hollywood goddess gown, but we have a three-pronged rebuttal:
1) The color, which is lovely and exciting.
2) The asymetrical shoulders, which give it a lot of interest.
3) She's a stone cold fox, so shut up.
Georgina Chapman What a ridiculous dress. At least she puts her money where her mouth is and wears the same silly folded napkins she designs for Marchesa.
Jamie Foxx Well, the scarf looks stupid. We know it was chilly in LA last night, but he could have whipped it off for the photographers. The suit's fine; the hem not so much.
Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington (in Valentino Fall 2009 Couture) His jacket is too tight (as always) and her dress is lovely but my GOD are we tired of looking at variations of it.
Jessica Szohr Jessica Szohr's vagina is trapped in a cage, you guys.
Kate Beckinsale in Julien MacDonald Even if you hate the gown or hate the actress, you have to admit that girl is WORKING that shit, old Hollywood-style. A couple more seconds and she's going to start voguing. As it so happens, we like the dress too.
Kerry Washington in Escada She looks good. It's standard in a lot of ways and we don't love her hair like that, but we can't really criticize it.
Leslie MannPoor thing had her dress compared to Anne Hathaway's all night, we'd bet.
Lynn Collins We like a print, but that's like a pinata at a baby shower print. We can't.
Marisa Tomei We're not sure if we love it but it's a hell of a sight better than the Charles James gown she wore to the show.
Naomi Watts in Zac Posen Spring 2011This dress is vaguely unsettling.
And unflattering.
Richard Perry and Jane Fonda Man, you've really got to give it to the old gal. She looks great.
Rashida Jones in Valentino Pre-Fall 2011 Nightgown.
Rita Wilson This woman is a danger to herself and others.
Selena Gomez (in Dolce & Gabbana) and Justin BieberShe looks good, but her lipstick matches her dress exactly and we don't love that. We've given him a lot of leeway as a teen idol, but we can't sign off on this one. He looks a little ridiculous.
Tory BurchThat jewelry is a CRIME paired with that dress. We love neither the dress nor the jewelry, but putting them together takes two inoffensive items and makes one VERY OFFENSIVE look. We're so mad at you right now, Tory Burch.
Zooey Deschanel in Valentino Spring 2011 Batshit insane.
[Photo CRedit: getty, wireimage, style.com, elle.com]
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Labels: Fashion, Marchesa, Oscars, Red Carpet, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Zac Posen
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