She was once cruelly described as a 'little fat girl' by Howard Stern, but it seems weight taunts haven't made a dent in Lena Dunham's body confidence.
TODAY'S TOP SHOWBUSINESS PICTURE
Pregnant Penelope Cruz in Bar-baby-dos paradise as she slips into string bikini
The actress, 38, looked great in her two piece as she made a splash in the Caribbean.
TV & Showbiz big picture gallery - US home page
The actress, 38, looked great in her two piece as she made a splash in the Caribbean.
ALL THE HOTTEST
- Pregnant Penelope Cruz emerges from the ocean showing off her growing form in sexy string bikini On a family holiday in the Caribbean
- He's got his brawn back! Matthew McConaughey shows off muscular physique on set of his new TV show He previously lost 38lbs for film
- Justin Bieber takes a dig at Lindsay Lohan as he defends his recent antics Had second thoughts though, and quickly deleted the message
- Single and ready to mingle! Jason Segel's coffee date with another mystery woman... just weeks after Michelle Williams split No shortage of company
- The hippie hippie shake! Honey Boo Boo turns flower child as she tries out new style while filming reality show Wore a playful poncho
- Wild thing! Candice Swanepoel is purrfect in animal print trimmed peekaboo one-piece before modelling pretty in pink bikini Tweeted snaps
- 'Son of a b***h, this is hard': Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels admits motherhood is wearing her down Raising Phoenix and Lukensia is tough
- Joaquin Phoenix's 'girlfriend' double: Scruffy actor gets cosy with attractive doppelgänger blonde... but it's NOT Heather Christie
- Jennifer Love Hewitt, 34, 'wants eggs frozen amid fears she'll end up childless' Actress is currently dating her Client List co-star Brian Hallisay
- Nicki Minaj poses in a leather jacket with nothing underneath as she gets a stunning makeunder Ditched the cartoon look
- Why I wouldn't want a body like a Victoria's Secret model, by Lena Dunham Girls creator and star spoke to Playboy about her body image
UNITED STATES SHOWBIZ
- Julianne Hough has '$100,000 worth of jewellery given to her by boyfriend Ryan Seacrest stolen from her car' Left jewels in her Mercedes Benz
- Revenge star Amber Valletta goes make-up free to stock up on groceries Gave glamour the day off
- Another blow for Bieber! Justin's hamster Pac dies He gave it away to a fan in December after
- Guns N' Roses fan suing Axl Rose for $5,000 after singer knocked out his front teeth by throwing microphone
- Mom on the run! Pink juggles her growing mini me daughter Willow and a plate of snacks as she enjoys rare down time in between tour dates
- It's Miss Scarlett! Emma Roberts kills the lace look in red dress with matching patent pumps No need to ask whodunnit
- Aren't you meant to be watching the game? Kendall Jenner and Khloe Kardashian get stuck into the snacks as Lamar Odom plays basketball
- No wonder he's keeping busy! Bachelor Sean Lowe leaves late night DWTS rehearsals after revealing he won't have sex before marriage
- Nicki Minaj MISSES the start of American Idol as she arrives 13 minutes late for first live show Minaj blamed infamously bad Los Angeles traffic for her delayed arrival
- It's stressful working with your sisters! Toni Braxton reveals sweat patch as she jostles for position at premiere of family reality show
- That's one way to promote the show! Tamar shows off her huge bump at premiere party for Braxton Family Values First baby
GOSSIP - DIRECT FROM LA
- Bachelor winner Shayne Lamas 'hospitalised due to marital stress' as husband Nik Ritchie 'parties non-stop' Have a child
- Fashion showdown! Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik dazzles in blue while Kaley Cuoco covers up in shapeless white She's usually dowdy
- Tiny Dancer! Satyana is a mini ballerina in her pink tutu on family outing with baby Keeva Sipped from huge water bottle
- Blooming lovely! Britney Spears ditches the tracksuits and polo necks to wear gorgeous floral halterneck dress She glammed it up for gymnastics run
- She's ready for Spring Break! Newly brunette Ashley Benson shows her legs in a flirty mini dress No longer a California blonde
- Pregnant Kim Kardashian upstages sister Kourtney with her new bangs by showcasing them in elegant outfit Kourtney did it first
- Dressed to conquer! Lisa Vanderpump looks ready to dominate Dancing with the Stars in skintight pink frock She always means business
- 'My organs shrank!' Jared Leto admits he 'didn't eat' to lose 30lbs for The Dallas Buyers Club as he shows off healthier frame Dropped to 116 pounds
- What's happened to the 'fat' Kardashian? Khloe is transformed as she shows off her slender legs in black leather miniskirt
- Why my marriage to Richard Gere failed, by Cindy Crawford They divorced in 1995 after just four years of marriage
- 'It's the best medicine in the world!' Brooke Burke reveals how exercise helped her cope with cancer as she promotes fitness DVD Has new fitness DVD
ALL THE LATEST SHOWBUSINESS
- Trotting off for a sneaky one: Clare Balding enjoys a crafty cigarette on break from filming at Cheltenham Festival
- Well... he did promise! Nick Grimshaw unveils his newly-dyed pink hair after radio listeners raise £250,000 for Comic Relief
- 'Broody' Michelle Keegan flashes her pearly whites as she shoots more Coronation Street scenes with prosthetic baby bump
- EXCLUSIVE: How Antony Costa was left homeless and near bankrupt despite earning £250,000 a month on Blue tour
- A boy's best friend: Peaches Geldof shows her delight as baby son Astala enjoys pooch playtime with canine companion Parpy
- Off-duty A-lister: Zoe Saldana ditches the glamour in favour of a casual but chic blue maxi dress as she arrives home after shopping trip
- Check you out: Francesca Eastwood hides her figure in plaid dress during date night with boyfriend Tyler Shields
- Want to look like me? Drink 8 glasses of water a day! Rosie Huntington-Whiteley reveals her diet secret as she shows off slim figure in skintight jeans
- 'I kneed to get better': One Direction's Louis Tomlinson apologises to fans for not being able to jump around on stage after injuring knee
- The lady is a vamp! Katie Waissel opts for gothic glamour in a daring thigh-split dress as she enjoys a girls' night out on the town
- EXCLUSIVE: 'It makes it easier dating another actor... everyone loves us together!' Bridgit Mendler on her romance with Good Luck Charlie co-star Shane Harper
WORLD TO BROWSE AT A GLANCE!
- Breaking her radio silence: Kate Moss gives a sultry reading of Fifty Shades Of Grey as part of Nick Grimshaw's Comic Relief breakfast show
- 'I'm on the mend!': Miranda Kerr speaks out for the first time about her car accident on Twitter as she thanks fans for their 'love'
- Need a glamour injection? Katharine McPhee shows off her new shorter hair as she dresses down for day out
- Who's that guy? Maggie Grace comes over all coy as she steps out on a low-key lunchtime date with a mystery man
- Gold standard: Chloe Sevigny adds another string to her fashion bow as she wears dress with metallic violin-shaped panel
- Cheer up Simon! Cowell fails to see the funny side as he sports comedic red nose at theatre gala performance with Sinitta
- The world keeps getting smaller: Doting dad Adam Sandler bumps into Helen Hunt as he treats his daughters to ice-cream
- Merging into one: Anne Hathaway and husband Adam Shulman wear matching scarves as they jet into LAX Flew from New York
- As classy as ever! TOWIE's Danni Park-Dempsey wears see-through white dress as she joins the cast at St Patrick's Day party
- Pregnant Lara Stone drapes her bump in a tiny white babydoll minidress for theatre trip with David Walliams
NEWS AND GOSSIP AROUND THE
- A winning physique? Kym Johnson shows off her toned figure as she hits the beach in Miami ahead of Dancing With The Stars launch
- Rihanna will not be amused: Chris Brown smooches female co-star on set of his new music video Fine China
- The 1D effect: Internet trolls attack as Harry Styles fools around with one of his security team's nieces following One Direction gig
- Don't stand so close to me! Ashton Kutcher parties with a female fan at Texas festival while girlfriend Mila Kunis is in London
- 'I spent all my money on this giant house': UB40 star Robin Campbell puts £1.65 million West Midlands mansion on the market
- She found a way to break up the routine! 'Bored' Lily Cooper helps Nick Grimshaw and friends raise £250k for Comic Relief
- Hair today... quite literally gone tomorrow! Jessie J shows off her sleek locks just 24 hours before shaving her head for Comic Relief
- Getting his Suit And Tie on! Justin Timberlake pokes fun at his boyband days as he joins Steve Carrell for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon skit
- 'What do I look like without make-up? Like THIS!' Phillip Schofield shares a picture after stripping himself of his TV warpaint
- Stripes and bling overload! Tamara Ecclestone amps up her nautical look with an armful of expensive jewellery
- Look at me! Kelly Brook arrives at the Celebrity Juice studios in a see-through dress which shows off her bra
REVIEWS
THEATRE
- Making a bloody mess out of Shakespeare's Macbeth James McAvoy, like the rest of the show, is full-on from the start. Boy, it’s shouty.
- Edith Piaf? She's more like Sybil Fawlty No need to travel to Leicester to catch Frances Ruffelle’s performance as Edith Piaf.
- Trelawny Of The Wells takes its time to get to the finish line Teenage lovely Rose Trelawny (Amy Morgan) gives up her life as a London actress to become a fiancee
- Rebels don't offer anything radically new: If You Don't Let Us Dream, We Won't Let You Sleep Tentative signs the old British Left may be re-awakening
- Playing Cards 1: Spades - Las Vegas is full of tarts and gamblers Come on down and play spot the cliche
- Equally Divided: An inheritance saga worth a fair share of praise Story of two adult sisters hearing the will of their eccentric mother
Today's Showbiz Gallery
TODAY'S POLL
- Hair today... quite literally gone tomorrow! Jessie J shows off her sleek locks just 24 hours before shaving her head for Comic Relief
- 'What do I look like without make-up? Like THIS!' Phillip Schofield shares a picture after stripping himself of his TV warpaint
- Stripes and bling overload! Tamara Ecclestone amps up her nautical look with an armful of expensive jewellery
- Another surreal style choice! Charlotte Church performs acoustic set in ethnic-inspired outfit and bizarre make-up at South by Southwest festival
- EXCLUSIVE: How Blue star Antony Costa was left homeless and near bankrupt after his income dropped from £250,000 a month to just £45 a week
- 'I spent all my money on this giant house': UB40 star Robin Campbell puts £1.65 million West Midlands mansion on the market
- Off-duty A-lister: Zoe Saldana ditches the glamour in favour of a casual but chic blue maxi dress as she arrives home after shopping trip
- Don't stand so close to me! Ashton Kutcher parties with a female fan at Texas festival while girlfriend Mila Kunis is in London
- Rekindling the romance? TOWIE's Lauren Pope and Kirk Norcross spark rumours of a reunion as they head home from date night arm-in-arm
- EXCLUSIVE: 'It makes it easier dating another actor... everyone loves us together!' Bridgit Mendler on her romance with Good Luck Charlie co-star Shane Harper
- Want to look like me? Drink 8 glasses of water a day! Rosie Huntington-Whiteley reveals her diet secret as she shows off slim figure in skintight jeans
- From red sole to barefoot: Worse for wear Tara Reid clings on for dear life after shedding her designer heels to leave club
- Trotting off for a sneaky one: Clare Balding enjoys a crafty cigarette on break from filming at Cheltenham Festival
- Well... he did promise! Nick Grimshaw unveils his newly-dyed pink hair after radio listeners raise £261,000 for Comic Relief
- Even the sexiest woman in the world needs a day off! Mila Kunis reveals her flawless skin as she goes make-up free
- What's happened to Khloe Kardashian? Reality star is transformed as she shows off her slender legs in black leather miniskirt
- Pregnant Kim Kardashian upstages sister Kourtney with her new bangs by showcasing them in elegant outfit
- 'What do I look like without make-up? Like THIS!' Phillip Schofield shares a picture after stripping himself of his TV warpaint
- 'I'll rip that cheap wig off your head': Bobby Norris threatens Gemma Collins and brands her 'Vanessa Feltz' as they come to blows in TOWIE
- Beachwear at breakfast: Nick Grimshaw, Sara Cox and Greg James strip to swimwear as they raise £250,000 for Comic Relief with the Red Nose Day Challenge
- Rekindling the romance? TOWIE's Lauren Pope and Kirk Norcross spark rumours of a reunion as they head home from date night arm-in-arm
- Stripes and bling overload! Tamara Ecclestone amps up her nautical look with an armful of expensive jewellery
- Another surreal style choice! Charlotte Church performs acoustic set in ethnic-inspired outfit and bizarre make-up at South by Southwest festival
- Fashion groundhog day for Tulisa as she airs ill-fitting mesh outfit again... underneath shiny baseball jacket
- It's in her genes! Victoria Beckham dresses Harper in matching denim skinnies...while doting David keeps her close
- Hair today... quite literally gone tomorrow! Jessie J shows off her sleek locks just 24 hours before shaving her head for Comic Relief
- Tired and emotional Samia Ghadie's temper flares up after one too many as Sylvain Longchambon tries to console her
- Inked again Mixers! Leigh-Anne Pinnock gets a tattoo on her back (but don't worry, it's nothing like Cheryl Cole's)
- MOST READ IN DETAIL
LATEST ALBUM RELEASES
Scroll through for the latest new album releases
JOHNNY MARR
The Messenger (Warner Bros.)
In The Smiths, his rampant guitars were the perfect foil to Morrissey’s lyrical flights of fancy. Now, 26 years on, Marr is stepping into the limelight with a solo album dominated by driving grooves and dreamy riffs. His singing lacks power, but his songs are sharp, the playing versatile. The soulful stomp of The Right Thing Right recalls fellow Mancunians Doves.
****
The Messenger (Warner Bros.)
In The Smiths, his rampant guitars were the perfect foil to Morrissey’s lyrical flights of fancy. Now, 26 years on, Marr is stepping into the limelight with a solo album dominated by driving grooves and dreamy riffs. His singing lacks power, but his songs are sharp, the playing versatile. The soulful stomp of The Right Thing Right recalls fellow Mancunians Doves.
****
LAURA MVULA
Sing To The Moon (RCA Victor)
Classically trained Midlands soul diva Laura Mvula avoids taking easy options on this striking debut. An acquired taste rather than a sure-fire pop success, her hooks are subtle, her songs intense and her piano work complex and jazzy. Her voice, though, is a thing of beauty. She also harnesses some intriguing influences, evoking the spirit of Nina Simone on Father, Father.
****
Sing To The Moon (RCA Victor)
Classically trained Midlands soul diva Laura Mvula avoids taking easy options on this striking debut. An acquired taste rather than a sure-fire pop success, her hooks are subtle, her songs intense and her piano work complex and jazzy. Her voice, though, is a thing of beauty. She also harnesses some intriguing influences, evoking the spirit of Nina Simone on Father, Father.
****
BASTILLE
Bad Blood (Virgin)
South Londoners Bastille are going down a storm live, with frontman Dan Smith revelling in his Chris Martin-like ability to engage with an audience. Mixing moody electronics with anthemic choruses, this debut transfers their stage energy to the studio. It starts strongly and maintains momentum. They are set to conquer, too: new single Pompeii is battling Justin Bieber to top next week’s chart.
****
Bad Blood (Virgin)
South Londoners Bastille are going down a storm live, with frontman Dan Smith revelling in his Chris Martin-like ability to engage with an audience. Mixing moody electronics with anthemic choruses, this debut transfers their stage energy to the studio. It starts strongly and maintains momentum. They are set to conquer, too: new single Pompeii is battling Justin Bieber to top next week’s chart.
****
EMELI SANDE
Live At The Royal Albert Hall (Virgin CD/DVD)
After triumphing at the Brits, this is Sande’s first live album. Intimate piano tunes are her forte, with the ballads Clown and River simultaneously sad and uplifting. Other highlights include a haunting take on the Cup Final hymn Abide With Me and a note-faithful cover of Nina Simone’s I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free. On the evidence of two new songs, Enough and Pluto, her success looks set to continue.
★★★★✩
Live At The Royal Albert Hall (Virgin CD/DVD)
After triumphing at the Brits, this is Sande’s first live album. Intimate piano tunes are her forte, with the ballads Clown and River simultaneously sad and uplifting. Other highlights include a haunting take on the Cup Final hymn Abide With Me and a note-faithful cover of Nina Simone’s I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free. On the evidence of two new songs, Enough and Pluto, her success looks set to continue.
★★★★✩
JOSH GROBAN
All That Echoes (Reprise)
The crooner continues to rejuvenate the 'popera' genre by abandoning standards in favour of soft rock, gospel-tinged soul and Irish folk. His last album was produced by Rick Rubin. This one finds rocker Rob Cavallo in control, but don’t expect Green Day covers yet. Hollow Talk is an orchestral ballad, while Happy In My Heartache has a Laurel Canyon feel.
★★★★✩
All That Echoes (Reprise)
The crooner continues to rejuvenate the 'popera' genre by abandoning standards in favour of soft rock, gospel-tinged soul and Irish folk. His last album was produced by Rick Rubin. This one finds rocker Rob Cavallo in control, but don’t expect Green Day covers yet. Hollow Talk is an orchestral ballad, while Happy In My Heartache has a Laurel Canyon feel.
★★★★✩
JUSTIN BIEBER
Believe Acoustic (Island)
Teen hunk Justin Bieber courted a more adult audience with some aplomb on his last album, Believe, but this unplugged take on the same material fails to further boost his credibility. The Canadian is a tuneful, sensitive singer, but propulsive dance tracks like Boyfriend and All Around The World lose something here, with guitarist Dan Kanter’s strumming no substitute for booming beats. Of the three new numbers, soulful ballad I Would, enhanced by drums and strings, is the pick.
★★
Believe Acoustic (Island)
Teen hunk Justin Bieber courted a more adult audience with some aplomb on his last album, Believe, but this unplugged take on the same material fails to further boost his credibility. The Canadian is a tuneful, sensitive singer, but propulsive dance tracks like Boyfriend and All Around The World lose something here, with guitarist Dan Kanter’s strumming no substitute for booming beats. Of the three new numbers, soulful ballad I Would, enhanced by drums and strings, is the pick.
★★
LINDI ORTEGA
Cigarettes & Truckstops (Last Gang)
She was raised in the Toronto suburbs, but singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega recently relocated to Nashville to find her musical mojo. On the evidence of this second album, the move has paid off: there is much more to her than red boots and matching lipstick. With the title track a forlorn road-song, her main calling card is the heartbreak ballad, and her sultry vocals are reminiscent of a young Nancy Sinatra. But she can rock out, too, with Don’t Wanna Hear It recalling The Black Keys.
★★★★
Cigarettes & Truckstops (Last Gang)
She was raised in the Toronto suburbs, but singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega recently relocated to Nashville to find her musical mojo. On the evidence of this second album, the move has paid off: there is much more to her than red boots and matching lipstick. With the title track a forlorn road-song, her main calling card is the heartbreak ballad, and her sultry vocals are reminiscent of a young Nancy Sinatra. But she can rock out, too, with Don’t Wanna Hear It recalling The Black Keys.
★★★★
THE MAVERICKS
In Time (Decca)
A success in the Nineties on the back of feel-good hits like Dance The Night Away, Miami quintet The Mavericks are returning after a ten-year break. And, with opening track Back In Your Arms Again bolstered by bayou rhythms and Mexican horns, it initially feels great to have them back. Not all of the new songs, a trolley-dash between vintage American styles, are as strong, but bandleader Raul Malo’s voice, with its touches of Roy Orbison and Tom Jones, is a thing of wonder.
★★
In Time (Decca)
A success in the Nineties on the back of feel-good hits like Dance The Night Away, Miami quintet The Mavericks are returning after a ten-year break. And, with opening track Back In Your Arms Again bolstered by bayou rhythms and Mexican horns, it initially feels great to have them back. Not all of the new songs, a trolley-dash between vintage American styles, are as strong, but bandleader Raul Malo’s voice, with its touches of Roy Orbison and Tom Jones, is a thing of wonder.
★★