Erica Rhodes Barney Idol

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Erica Rhodes Barney Idol

Tonight everyone's excited about the performance of Erica Rhodes on "American Idol."

Rhodes has been acting and singing and dancing since she was a small child. She was on "Barney & Friends," where she was "innocent" and "sweet."

The 23-year-old showed a different side of herself at the Texas auditions. She came dressed in full dominatrix gear, complete with a leather miniskirt, platform stiletto heels, and a whip.

She also sang a, well, stirring rendition of En Vogue's "Free Your Mind." It was very different than her work on "Barney." See for yourself!

The audition-and the outfit-worked. She impressed all the judges, but especially Simon. Rhodes is headed to Hollywood and the next round of "American Idol."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Miki Howard

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Miki Howard

Miki Howard was on Mo'Nique's talk show Monday. Howard is a singer and actress who was discovered in 1977 at age 15 after she sang at a teen pageant.

Augie Johnson, a member of Side Effect, was in the audience at that pageant, and started working with Howard after that. Howard joined Side Effect in addition to singing backup for a number of other singers.

She then moved on to a successful and lengthy solo career. Her most recent album was released in 2006. Take a listen!

In 1992 she moved on to acting, appearing as Billie Holliday in "Malcolm X."

She's about to appear in the new movie "April's Fools," which will open this April. What a fascinating and exciting career she's having!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Kick Some Past Trailer

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Kick Some Past Trailer

The trailer for "Hot Tub Time Machine" has made its debut, and it looks like a fun movie. The trailer features the tag line "Kick Some Past."

Starring Lizzy Caplan, Kate Walsh, John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Crispin Glover, Craig Robinson, and many others, the comedy is a throwback to '80's sex comedies.

In the movie, Cusack, Corddry, Robinson, and Clark Duke get drunk in a hot tub and wake up the next morning to find themselves transported to 1986. They'll have to fix what they did in the past.

Of course, I love John Cusack's movies about the '80's that were actually made in the '80's.

I'm sure that the bear in the hot tub is part of the problem. Remember, kids, you heard it here first: Hot tub + bear = time travel.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Tiny Tim Tiptoe Through the Tulips a la Brian Krause

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tiny Tim Tiptoe Through the Tulips a la Brian Krause

Did you see tonight's "American Idol" auditions? Specifically, the audition of one Brian Krause (an extremely polite young man), as he attempts to imitate Tiny Tim.

In order to hit Tim's falsetto notes, he screws up his face in what can only be described as a most unappealing way.

Perhaps if there'd been less mincing, it would have been better. Or if he'd had a ukelele. Ukeleles make everything better.

Don't believe me? Check out Tiny Tim's version. This one's my favorite.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Renee Walker 24 Star

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Renee Walker 24 Star

Wall Street Journal reports Annie Wersching, who plays Renee Walker, returns to season 8 of "24."

I'm dying to know if there will be a romance between her and Jack Bauer, who is played by Kiefer Sutherland!

Wersching is in the show starting episode 3, and she's not saying. She has revealed the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) has a more exciting set this year. Woo hoo!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Older Actress Walters Went Extra Mile for Role

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Older Actress Walters Went Extra Mile for Role

Actress Julie Walters already bore a striking resemblance to Mo Mowlam when she was cast to play the politician.

In order to play Mowlam, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the 59-year-old Walters even shaved her head.

Originally she was supposed to wear a bald cap, but Walters realized how long it would take to do every day. She said, "I think the thing to do is for me to shave all my hair off."

Although the movie looks at Mowlam's politics, Walters declares, "they're almost in the background, eclipsed by Mo herself - which everything was."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Actress Images from Critics' Choice Awards

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Actress Images from Critics' Choice Awards

The Critics' Choice Awards were held this weekend, and Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock tied for the best actress.

After coming up to the podium, Bullock kissed Streep full on the lips and said that Streep inspired her to do everything better.

In the press room, both actresses praised the other and posed for photos.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Actress Falco Rewarded for her Funny Side

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Actress Falco Rewarded for her Funny Side

Edie Falco always considered herself a dramatic actress. While there were funny bits in "The Sopranos," the show was considered a drama.

Likewise, she's been praised on stage for roles in shows like "'Night, Mother," "Side Man," and "Frankie and Johnnie in the Clair de Lune."

In fact, when she read the first draft of the script for her Showtime program "Nurse Jackie," there were few laughs to be had.

So Falco is still surprised when she finds herself nominated for best comedy actress awards. Already she's been nominated for a Golden Globe, a Satellite Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for the show.

Executive producers Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius revamped the show as a dark comedy. "The idea that it's a comedy? I still struggle with that," Falco admits.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Hathaway Declared Good Actress by Harvard

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Hathaway Declared Good Actress by Harvard

Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals has announced that Anne Hathaway will receive the 2009 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award.

She'll get the award, a golden pudding pot, along with a parade in her honor on January 28. She's being recognized for her "contribution to entertainment."

Hasty Pudding Theatricals is the 0ldest undergraduate theatre troupe in the United States.

A spokesman said Hathaway had been chosen for her film work as well as her stage acting.

No Man of the Year has been announced yet.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Older Actress Rainer Celebrates Big Birthday

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Older Actress Rainer Celebrates Big Birthday

Luise Rainer celebrated her 110th birthday on Tuesday, January 12. The German-born actress celebrated at the Arts Club in Mayfair in London.

She was to be joined by such guests as Sir Ian McKellen, Jarvis Astaire and Lord Taverne.

Rainer appeared in "The Great Ziegeld" and "The Good Earth." Her last film appearance was 1997.

She says the secret to her longevity is "never trust a doctor."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Good Director and Good Actress Working Together

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Good Director and Good Actress Working Together

Maggie Gyllenhaal was a little nervous to work with Oliver Stone until he gave her some magic words. "I give you the power of Zeus." That seemed to do the trick.

Actresses have to learn how to work with directors when they get on the set. Emily Blunt of "The Young Victoria" has learned to be more vocal.

Patricia Clarkson will only work with directors who operate with mutual respect. Samantha Morton appreciates a director who has confidence in him- or herself.

Saoirse Ronan of "The Lovely Bones," appreciated how emotionally involved director Peter Jackson got in the scene. He went to her between takes and wiped a tear from her cheek.

"He has this childlike quality to him that gives everyone a new energy on the set," Ronan explains.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Spanish Actress Cruz Nominated for Goya

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Spanish Actress Cruz Nominated for Goya

Penélope Cruz was nominated for a 2010 Goya award. The Goya awards are considered the Spanish Oscar.

Cruz was nominated for a best actress award for her role in Pedro Almodóvar's "Broken Embraces."

The winners will be announced February 14 in Madrid. Nominees were chosen from 120 eligible Spanish films and Latin films released in Spain.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Becoming a Bollywood Hot Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Becoming a Bollywood Hot Actress

Many Western actresses are finding that, while they may have had moderate success in their home nations, sometimes they can land leading roles in Bollywood.

Barbara Mori is a Mexican actress who was cast in "Kites" and is a constant presence in promotional material for the movie.

The producer of "Kites" says it is the first Bollywood movie with an international theme, and so an international leading lady was necessary.

Brazilian model Giselli Monteiro becane an Indian sensation after landing the lead in "Love Aaj Kal." Director Imtiaz Ali was looking for a Punjabi girl, but said Monteiro was exactly right.

"No one knew that she was Brazilian until the film was released. We kept that as a surprise package," Ali said.

Claudia Ciesla, a German model, actress, and singer came to India for a modelling job, and became a contestant on "Bigg Boss," the local version of "Big Brother."

Ciesla and Monteiro are now learning Hindi so they can get more roles in India.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

The People Declare Sandra Bullock a Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - The People Declare Sandra Bullock a Good Actress

Sandra Bullock was a big winner at Wednesday night's 36 annual People's Choice Awards. Bullock received the Favorite Movie Actress award.


After a comeback this summer with "The Proposal," she's now receiving critical and popular acclaim for her performance in "The Blind Side."


In other actress news, Miley Cyrus received the Favorite Breakout Movie Actress award.


For television, Katherine Heigl was awarded Favorite TV Drama Actress, and Allyson Hannigan got Favorite TV Comedy Actress.


Congratulations to all the winners!


Gina Wilhelm Actress

Newcomers and Vets Battle for Oscar's Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Newcomers and Vets Battle for Oscar's Good Actress

Although there is nearly a month until the Academy Award nominations are announced, the Los Angeles Times is trying to figure out who the nominees and winners of the actress awards will be.

Newcomers Carey Mulligan of "An Education" and Gabourey Sidibe of "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire" are both top contenders.

Both young women have already gotten nominations for National Board of Review, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics Choice Movie Awards.

Other less sure bets are Abbie Cornish of "Bright Star," Emily Blunt from "The Young Victoria," and Mo'Nique, also from "Precious."

Oddly enough, 15-year-old Saoirse Ronan of "The Lovely Bones" is among the vets, having been nominated two years ago for "Atonement."

Other veterans who have a good shot at hearing their names on February 2 include Meryl Streep for her role as Julia Child in "Julie & Julia" or for her turn in "It's Complicated."

Also likely candidates are Helen Mirren in "The Last Station," Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side," and Penélope Cruz and Marion Cotillard from "Nine."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Pictures of Actress/Singer Natalie Cole

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Pictures of Actress/Singer Natalie Cole

Natalie Cole was snapped by photographers as she left a doctor's appointment recently.

The actress/singer, currently sporting short hair, is the daughter of Nat "King" Cole and former Duke Ellington Orchestra manager Maria Cole.

Cole has had a kidney transplant, but was "Healthy and whole and 100%" at her concert at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2009.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Amy Adams Actress Taking Time Off

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Amy Adams Actress Taking Time Off

Amy Adams' new movie "Leap Year" opens on Friday. While promoting the movie, Adams revealed "I'm taking some time off."

She's been working nearly nonstop since 2005 and says that she needs to tend to some relationships. She also, as discussed earlier in this blog, has recently revealed that she's pregnant.

In addition to "Leap Year," Adams has recently wrapped production on "The Fighter," in which she stars opposite Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Mo'Nique Considered Good Actress by Critics

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Mo'Nique Considered Good Actress by Critics

Ever since her win at Sundance last year, Mo'Nique has been considered a top contender for best supporting actress awards for her performance in "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire."

So far, she has won 17 awards and a number of nominations for her portrayal of the abusive mother of an obese illiterate girl in the movie.

In addition to winning at a number of film festivals, she's also received nominations for SAG, Critics Choice, Golden Globe, and Spirit awards.

Gina Wilhelm Actress