lifestyle MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013 Gossip Vanilla Ice helped Eminem become successful

anilla Ice claims he helped Eminem become a successful rapper. The ‘Ice Ice Baby’ star shot to fame Vwith the hit single when he was just 16 years old and claims he “paved the way” for other white rap- pers such as the ‘Slim Shady’ hitmaker. He said: “I definitely opened doors and made it acceptable to get into hip-hop.”White rappers are few and far between and, during that era, I made it possible to move into that genre and be very successful.” The 46-year-old father of two suffered with depression during the early years of his career but continues to perform and work on new material and claims he “doesn’t care” what people think. When asked if it annoys him that rappers like Eminem claim they’re “nothing like him,” Vanilla Ice - whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, said: “I carved a way and it helped the industry, I don’t care what anyone thinks.” Opening up about his depression, the musician admitted that people didn’t understand what he was going through. He said: “I had a hit with ‘Ice Ice Baby’ when I was just 16. People forgot that I was still just a child, but I was surrounded by artificial people, living an artificial life. “I self- destructed ... You need to find the strength to continue and you need to surround yourself with real friends and family.”

Keira Knightley: Feminism isn’t a ‘dirty word’ eira Knightley is glad feminism is no longer a K“dirty word”. The 28-year-old actress thinks the world is becoming more open to talking about equality for women and she is pleased people are able to discuss issues maturely. She told Harper’s Bazaar magazine: “I think it’s great, what’s happening at the moment, I think it’s great that the discussions are finally being allowed to be had, as opposed to anybody men- tioning feminism and everybody going, ‘oh, shut up’. “Somehow, it became a dirty word. I thought it was real- ly weird for a long time, and I think it’s great we’re com- ing out of that.” However, the ‘Anna Karenina’ star sug- gested the film industry has a “long way to go” to prove women are truly equal. She noted the number of female Jenkins to become an OBE lead roles are limited in Hollywood, and thinks actresses should have more opportunities. Keira added: atherine Jenkins will become an OBE in Queen Elizabeth’s New Year Honors. The “Hollywood has a really long way to go. I don’t think that British monarch will present her annual awards and the singer will be recognized for anybody can deny that, really, and I think as much as K you are getting more women playing lead roles... they’re her work supporting the nation’s armed forces and a source described it as “thor- oughly well-deserved”. The Buckingham Palace insider told The Sun on Sunday newspa- still pretty few and far between.” per: “Ms Jenkins has been a fine ambassador for the arts, good causes our troops and the nation. “This is a thoroughly well-deserved honor. Her Majesty is delighted to bestow it.” The 33-year-old star has been nicknamed the ‘Forces Sweetheart’ due to her role in enter- taining British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, retired soccer legend David Beckham has been snubbed in the list despite reports claiming he was in line for a knight- hood. The 38-year-old star was expected to become Sir David in the New Year’s Honors, but there are said to be many officials who felt it was too soon for him to be recognized in this way. A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “There was a view that it wouldn’t do him any harm to wait a bit.” Patrick Swayze’s widow is engaged atrick Swayze’s widow is engaged again. Lisa Niemi, who was married to the ‘Ghost’ actor for 34 years before his Britney Spears loves Pdeath from pancreatic cancer in September 2009, is set to marry jeweler Albert DePrisco after he proposed earlier this week. A spokesperson for the ‘Beat Angel’ actress told People.com: “Albert proposed to Lisa on Christmas Eve.” The couple began dating 18-months ago after being introduced by mutual friends at Lisa’s birthday party. The 57- Jennifer Lopez year-old dancer previously admitted that she would like to find love again short- ly after the first anniversary of Patrick’s ritney Spears has a girl crush on Jennifer Lopez. The ‘Scream & Shout’ hitmaker, death. She said: “I would love compan- Bwho kicked off her two-year residency concerts at the Planet Hollywood Resort ionship love. Absolutely. I hope I’m not in Las Vegas on Friday night has revealed that the ‘Maid In Manhattan’ star, 44, is one of these women who never want one of her favorite actresses. The 32-year-old singer named ‘We’re the Millers’ as her to have another relationship. But who most recent favorite movie knows, that’s another bridge I’ll cross and told EOnline.com: “I also when I come to it. I may get there and love Jennifer Lopez movies. I go, I don’t know. But I like to think that I love Jennifer Lopez.” Britney can.” Earlier this year, Kirstie Alley previously praised Jennifer as claimed that she fell in love with Patrick one of her biggest inspira- while filming ‘North and South’ but tions. She said: “Jennifer Lopez never acted on her feelings because is my idol - she’s so beautiful they were both married. She said: “Both and even though she’s gotten of us were married. We did not have an older, she hasn’t aged at all. affair. But again, I think what I did was She looks more amazing than worse. Because I think when you fall in ever and I really admire and love with someone when you’re mar- respect that.” The ‘Perfume’ ried you jeopardize your own marriage singer, who has two sons, and their marriage. It’s doubly bad.” Sean Preston, eight, and Kirstie insisted she was good friends Jayden, seven, with her ex- with Lisa and was even asked to speak husband, Kevin Federline, at his funeral after Patrick died. starred in the movie ‘Crossroads’ in 2002 alongside Zoe Saldana and would love to reignite her own acting career. She said: “I would love to act. I would love to do movies. If it was the right part, it would be really cool...I love funny movies.” The blonde beauty also made cameos in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ in 2008 and ‘Will And Grace’ in 2006. Aniston jets to Mexico for New Year’s Eve Mel B wants Spice ennifer Aniston has jetted to Mexico to ring in the New Year with Justin Theroux. The cou- Jple, who recently sparked rumors they were on the rocks, were spotted disembarking Girls reunion from a private plane with their entourage in Cabo San Lucas on Friday after celebrating Christmas with Justin’s family in New York City. The former ‘Friends’ actress looked happy and el B has admitted she wishes Spice Girls were “doing more as relaxed as she and Justin, 42, made their way to a waiting chauffeured vehicle to take them to Ma band”. The singer would love the iconic British girl group to their hotel. The 44-year-old star was wearing her large sparkling engagement ring, according get back together and tour again, and she revealed she reg- to the MailOnline website. A source ularly chats to her old band mates. She told the Daily Mail Weekend close to the couple recently revealed magazine: “The truth is I was always the one that wanted the Spice they had relationship counseling and Girls to continue. I didn’t want it to end and I still don’t. “Even though are determined to make more time for I’ve always had my own career going on, I’m always up for a reunion. each other in 2014. The insider said: Always. It’s a shame we’re not doing more as a band. “There are no Gisele Bundchen visits sick fan “Jen and Justin love each other, they cogs turning right now but put it this way, there are always at least are fully committed. They had hoped two of us talking about doing something ... I think anything is possi- isele Bundchen surprised a young fan, who is batting cancer, by stopping by for a makeover. The 33-year-old Brazilian super- to be married by now but work com- ble.” However, while band mates Mel C, Geri Halliwell and Emma G mitments this year meant their plans model, who has a son, Ben, four, and 12-month-old daughter, Bunton seem up for reforming, the stumbling block is Victoria went astray. “They have had some Beckham - but the group may continue as a four piece. Mel B admit- Vivian, with her husband, Tom Brady, made Karina Xavier’s day when she visited her home in Malden near Boston, Massachusetts on counseling. They both regret not ted: “I don’t know. Maybe. It depends on what it is and when it is. spending more time together this year “With our 20th anniversary approaching in 2014 something is going Thursday to swap beauty tips. The 15-year-old budding make-up artist, who is also originally from Brazil, shared photographs of the and they’re determined next year will to happen.”Everyone knows I’m always championing a reunion. I truly be different.” The couple - who got believe it’ll happen sooner or later.” —Bang showbiz model on Instagram and wrote to Gisele: “From the moment you sur- prised me, until the moment you left, I was so shocked for you being engaged in Summer 2012 - are clearly here with me! Thank you so much for taking time off of your day to eager to enjoy a relaxing start to 2014 come visit me and spend some time with me! Also thank you for your ahead of their wedding later in the kind words and your very meaningful gifts! You are a great person and year. The source added: “Jen and Justin you will continue inspiring me. I love you.” Gisele was equally moved are looking at it like it’s a party for their by the encounter, as she also shared a photograph of them on friends. They’ve downgraded the scale Instagram, with the caption: “It was a pleasure to see you again. You of their wedding. Justin is adamant it are warrior, an inspiration of positivity and courage. I will be praying will happen in 2014 but that it will be for you. Sending you love and light always.” The duo previously met at more, ‘Spontaneous and organic’ than an event hosted by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute two years ago. they’d previously wanted.” ‘Machete Following the special visit, Karina told MyFoxBoston.com: “She’s a role Kills’ star Jessica Alba, 32, was also model. I’ve always liked her, and when I saw her I just felt like we had a spotted arriving in the sun-drenched connection and we were alike. I was just so surprised and it was a hotspot for a New Year’s holiday with great Christmas present.” She added: “She did makeup on me, I did her husband, Cash Warren, and their makeup on her. We were just interacting with each other, talking daughters, Honor, five, and Haven, about makeup, talking about lots of other stuff.” two, on Friday.