Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra was among guests at a star-studded Correspondents' Dinner with the Obamas at the White House on Saturday. The actress, who dined with the US President Barack Obama, posted a picture of her with the president and First Lady Michelle Obama on Instagram with the caption: "Lovely to meet the very funny and charming @barackobama and the beautiful @michelleobama. Thank you for a lovely evening. Cannot wait to start working on your girls education programme." The 33-year-old Quantico star, who is currently shooting in the US for the big-screen Baywatch reboot, was earlier unsure about attending because of her work commitments, according to media reports. Among the film and television performers at the event were Oscar winners Helen Mirren (who Obama hailed as "awesome") and Jared Leto, Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston, Independence Day stars Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, actress Rachel McAdams, and Night Manager mini-series star Tom Hiddleston. – The National
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kuwait to meet US army troops
Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was recently in Kuwait to meet US army troops and provide some fitness tips. Posting on Instagram, the action-movie icon said he delivered the first batch of his "Come With Me If You Want To Life" gym apparel to the soldiers in Kuwait. "Proud to deliver our first box of shirts to our brave men and women in uniform here in Kuwait," he posted. He also posted pictures of training members of the arm in the gym. The star of The Terminator franchise and former bodybuilder was also pleasantly surprised to have bumped into several other bodybuilders in Kuwait. The actor also posted a photo with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Roelly Winklaar, who he ran into at the airport, on Instagram. "Only I can fly around the world, land in Kuwait and run into one of the top bodybuilders at customs @roellywinklaar." There is no word yet whether his present GCC visit will also include a UAE stopover. – The National
Prince’s music Vault is drilled open
Prince is said to have several unreleased recordings locked away in an archive called the Vault. Over a week since the Purple One’s sudden death, the Vault has reportedly been drilled open by Bremer Bank, the St Cloud, Minnesota, institution Prince trusted with his finances over the years. The late musician was the only one with the code, reports ABC News. It has been said that the vault is a giant room with shelves sealed with a large spinning wheel. – The National
Lindsay Lohan’s parents admit role in her addiction issues
Actress Lindsay Lohan's parents Michael and Dina Lohan have publicly accepted that their own troubled relationship had an effect on their daughter and her troubles with substance abuse. Michael and Dina, who are now divorced, discussed the heartache they feel about how their behaviour may have had a negative influence on the actress's life and choices during an appearance on the Steve Harvey show. Michael said their divorce affected Lindsay to the point where she resorted to illicit substances to numb her pain. Lindsay has been in and out of rehab multiple times in her life. – The National
Will Ferrell will not portray Reagan in film
Actor Will Ferrell will not be participating in a comedy about former US president Ronald Reagan’s struggles with dementia, after the family of the late Reagan criticised the project, saying Alzheimer’s and dementia were not a subject for comedy. Famous for his comedic impersonation of former president George W Bush, the 48-year-old Ferrell was reported by Variety to be playing the president in Reagan, a comedy following a White House intern tasked with persuading a dementia-ridden Reagan that he is an actor in a movie playing the president. United Talent Agency, which represents the actor, said the script is one of a number of scripts submitted to Ferrell for consideration. Ferrell’s involvement was quickly criticised by Reagan’s daughter Patti Davis and son Michael Reagan, as well as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association. – Reuters
Subhash Ghai keen on making movie with Kapil Sharma
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai says he wants to work with TV comedian and actor Kapil Sharma. Ghai said he was confident that a movie with one of the most-watched TV comedians would be a sure-fire hit. He added that they would be looking for an appropriate script. The two met at Ghai’s acting institute Whistling Woods International Limited, where Sharma recently addressed the students. He shared stories from his personal life and how comedy became his strength. – IANS
