Actor JAMES FRANCO is looking to further his education after completing his masters degree - he's enrolling in a doctorate program.The studious star is currently studying film making at New York University while juggling writing classes at Columbia University for a masters of fine arts diploma. But Franco's thirst for knowledge is seemingly insatiable - he's set to obtain his Ph.D. and is checking out courses at Connecticut's prestigious Yale University. He tells the Yale Daily News, "I'm applying to Ph.D. programs next year so I came out (to Yale) to see what the program was like." And the 31 year old admits he has had awkward encounters with fellow students who feel uncomfortable sharing the campus with a celebrity. He adds, "I had a little incident last night at Columbia that was unpleasant. For the most part the programs I'm in are pretty small. There are about 30 to 40 people in each of my programs. So I know it's not awkward. And I have friends in the programs and all of that...

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THE JONAS BROTHERS were forced to scrap a gig in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday night (07Nov09) after youngest sibling NICK was struck down with a respiratory infection.The pop trio had made their way to the Swiss city after a fulfilling presenter duties at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin, Germany on Thursday (05Nov09). But the band had to let fans down after Nick caught a nasty illness - the first time they have ever canceled a show due to being unwell. A statement from the group says, "Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers is ill with an upper respiratory infection of the nose and throat and the doctor has advised that he not speak or sing. This is the first time that the Jonas Brothers have ever cancelled a show for sickness and deeply regret that they will not be able to perform." The pop sensations promised their fans a full refund.

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RIHANNA broke off her relationship with abusive boyfriend CHRIS BROWN because she "resented" every minute she spent with him following the brutal February (09) assault.The Bajan singer suffered cuts and bruises to her face and body after the Kiss Kiss hitmaker beat her up in his rented car following a pre-Grammy party in Hollywood. Fans of Rihanna were shocked to discover she had reunited with Brown weeks later, when they were snapped spending time together at rap mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs' mansion in Miami, Florida. Rihanna admits she felt "confused with emotions" as she tried to come to terms with the incident, but needed to support Brown as he dealt with the aftermath of the assault. Speaking on news show 20/20 on Friday (06Nov09), she says, "Point blank denial is (when) you start lying to yourself. As soon as the physical wounds go away, you want this to go away, this is something you don't want to remember ever again. So the minute the physical wounds go away you try to put it t...

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GERARD BUTLER is so desperate to remain true to his Scottish roots he suffered a panic attack the first time he used the word "soccer".The 300 star has been living in the U.S. while he concentrates on building his Hollywood career. He admits he's noticed more American words creeping into his vocabulary, and fears his countrymen will never forgive him if he loses his native accent. Butler says, "To see anybody being influenced by another culture is a fate worse than death - especially to speak in an American accent. "I was doing an interview about a year and a half ago in London and I said the word 'soccer' instead of 'football' and for the rest of the interview I could hardly breathe. My face was so red. Whenever I think of it I start to panic." The star even compares himself to Scottish singer Sheena Easton, who was pelted with bottles at a gig in Glasgow in 1990 after offending the audiences with her American brogue. Butler adds, "When Sheena Easton left Glasgow she talked with ...

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ROBERT PATTINSON and KRISTEN STEWART thrilled hundreds of fans in Los Angeles on Friday night (06Nov09) as they kicked off their Mall Tour to promote THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON.The pair, along with co-star Taylor Lautner, took to the stage in the Hollywood and Highland Center and sent waiting fans into a frenzy. Robert Pattinson told the crowd, "First of all, thanks to you guys. Without you, Twilight wouldn't be anywhere, so thanks very much." And Taylor Lautner stunned fans further by announcing: "We have a special treat. The whole entire cast is about ready to come on stage and they're going to answer your questions so thank you, it should be exciting." The trio was then joined onstage by the rest of the cast, including Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed and Ashley Greene. The waiting audience had earlier been entertained by performances by Death Cab For Cutie, Sea Wolf, Anya Marina and Band of Skulls, who all have tracks on the upcoming vampire movie's soundtrack. The Twilight Mall Tour...

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LADY GAGA refused to appear in an episode of GOSSIP GIRL until TV bosses agreed to allow her to stage an elaborate music video.The Poker Face singer has taped an episode of the hit teen series, but she's insists her performance is not a typical cameo - because she was determined to use her time on TV to make an artistic statement. She explains, "I hate TV series performances, because they kind of come in out of nowhere, and everyone's, like, really into the story, and then all of a sudden somebody breaks into song. And it has nothing to do with the storyline, and then it screws everything up. I really sat down with the writers. I was like, 'Look, I want to do this, and the reason I want to do this is because I am trying to say something that is not mainstream in a mainstream capacity. So, if I can say it on your show, that would be, like, a real coup d'etat for me as a performance artist.'" And she's convinced fans will be delighted with the end result, which she describes as a "craz...

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PARIS HILTON and LINDSAY LOHAN's stolen belongings have been unearthed by police officials in a raid on the Las Vegas home of a member of Hollywood's so-called Bling Ring burglars, who targeted the estates of young celebrities.The haul includes personal photographs of Paris Hilton, two pairs of her designer jeans and a white hat, according to law enforcement sources and a copy of a search warrant obtained by the Los Angeles Times newspaper. Los Angeles Police Department officers, accompanied by Las Vegas Metro Police officials, also seized two stolen computers, marijuana, a Korean passport and more than $20,000 in cash. The authorities arrested teenager Rachel Lee during the 22 October (09) raid, but she has not been charged with any of the burglaries. Six other people have been charged in connection with the burglary spree that netted more than $3 million in designer clothing, accessories and jewelery between December 2008 and October 2009.

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JENNIFER ANISTON and COURTENEY COX are stepping up a campaign to fight for women's rights in the Congo.The actresses have lent their support to humanitarian fashion brand OmniPeace, which aims to stamp out violence against women in the African region, and is run by their friend Mary Fanaro. Earlier this year (Jun09) Cox and Aniston joined singer Sheryl Crow at a dinner party to raise awareness for the charity, and now they're taking a new campaign to Senator Hilary Clinton. The stars are urging gadget fans in America and Europe not to buy electronics, such as cell phones and laptops, which contain materials sourced from 'conflict mines' - where the industry is at the centre of violent fighting. Cox has praised her pal Fanaro for all her charity efforts and hopes they will be able to spread their message even further. She tells Fox News, "OmniPeace was created to give back. I can’t think of a better way to support my best friend and all the work that she and OmniPeace do to donate t...

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WILL SMITH has opened up about the heartbreak he suffered after his first marriage, insisting the divorce was the "most painful loss" he's ever endured.The Independence Day star married girlfriend Sheree Zampino in 1992 and the couple welcomed a son, Trey, before they decided to end their relationship in 1995. Smith is adamant he has learned how to navigate the ups and downs of married life since tying the knot with actress Jada Pinkett Smith - and admits he could have sustained his first union if he'd tried harder. He says, "That (first marriage) is probably the most painful loss of my life. I quit. I could have fixed it. It really was not that bad. With Jada, I stood up in front of God and my family and friends and said, 'Till death do us part.' So there are two possible outcomes: we are going to be together till death or I am dead. "Jada and I have problems; everybody has problems. People ask, What happens if you made a mistake?' Well, you should be a little more careful before y...

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JOHN MAYER and actor HUGH JACKMAN are helping to raise money for a Mexican orphanage by auctioning off special meet-and-greet packages for fans.The stars are offering to fly the winning bidders to New York to see them perform in the city, where Mayer is due on stage on 17 November (09) and Jackman is treading the boards on Broadway in A Steady Rain with Daniel Craig. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Friends of El Faro charity.

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