'Bootylicious' stars spark a raid on padded panties

FASCINATION with the hind-quarters of Beyonce and Kim Kardashian is fueling a booming market for undergarments that amplify the derriere.

For centuries, women have wriggled into girdles and other slimmers to minimize their rear ends but, as 26-year-old Montreal wedding planner Azar Jazestani comments, "It's not so hot to have a pancake a** these days".

Tara Rachel Benson, who favours the Booty Pop brand of underwear says the panties, which contain egg-shaped foam pads to plump up the posterior, are "part of the whole outfit".

On a recent night out to an album release party in Los Angeles, Benson put on her makeup, a tight-fitting Herve Leger dress, stiletto heels - and her Booty Pop panties.

"I look better, I feel better, and as a result, I act better," says the 25-year-old assistant to a music manager.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related Coverage

* Cat burglar's purr-fect crime Daily Telegraph, 9 Jul 2010
* 'Miracle' jeans that make you lighter Daily Telegraph, 20 Mar 2010
* Shut up and sing Geraldine Quinn Adelaide Now, 3 Mar 2010
* Swift homecoming Adelaide Now, 12 Feb 2010
* Reader's Comments: Monk shapes up to new squeeze - The Courier-Mail Courier Mail,

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

On Booty Pop's late-night infomercials, which began airing in December, viewers are entreated to "forget about doing endless squats - and cosmetic surgery, who can afford that?" as models prance around in tight jeans flaunting their backsides.

In May, Bed Bath & Beyond started carrying Booty Pop in most of its 967 stores and online.

Drugstore Walgreens, which jumped on the Booty Pop bandwagon in April, is carrying the product at 1,000 of its 7,541 stores and mulling an expansion.

Earlier this month, Target started carrying Booty Pop online.

Booty Pop projects it will sell close to one million pairs of padded underwear this year.

"I want one," the famously skinny reality TV star Nicole Richie wrote this month on Twitter, after which she posted a link to a "black licorice" cotton-spandex pair, on sale for $19.95.

Through her publicist, Richie declined to comment.

Booty Pop isn't the only company seeking a boost from behind. Early next year, Maidenform Brands plans to introduce a "Jean Collection" - internally called "Project Injeanious" - containing bottom shapers.

At lingerie retailer Frederick's of Hollywood, the "Booty Boy Short" is currently the No. 2 top-selling shaping item online.

Victoria's Secret introduced the "bum booster" in January in some outlets, and a spokeswoman says it is selling well.

But the garments do have complications. Holly Homer, a 40-year-old stay-at-home mom from Dallas, recently tested a pair and called the look "ridiculous."

"If you wear anything less than a really heavy denim with it, you can see where those oval-shaped things stick out," said Homer.

She dubbed the situation "VBPL", for "Visible Booty Pop Line" - riffing off the faux pas of VPL, "visible panty line."

Read more at the Wall Street Journal.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox party with Beyonce

Beyonce hugged Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg chatted up Jay-Z at a fundraising dinner honoring Gwyneth Paltrow and Courteney Cox at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Hanks was the master of ceremonies for Saks Fifth Avenue's 14th annual "Unforgettable Evening" Tuesday to benefit the Women's Cancer Research Fund. He and wife Rita Wilson, along with Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw, serve as honorary chairs of the charity, which funds innovative cancer research. Paltrow and Cox were recognized for their dedication to cancer causes.

Paltrow, who helped establish a research fund in memory of her father, appeared deeply touched by the honor.

Wearing a sparkly gold mini-dress and backed by an eight-piece, all-girl band, the entertainer opened with Etta James' "At Last" and boogied alongside two dancers during "Crazy in Love" and "Single Ladies."

Beyonce called Paltrow "one of my favorite people in the world."

Beyoncé Makes Surprise Appearance at Jay-Z Show

Newlyweds Beyoncé and Jay-Z briefly shared the stage on Friday at New York City's The Heart of the City concert, after the rapper jokingly made fun of his wife's hit song "Crazy in Love."

As part of Jay-Z's regular solo set during his tour with Mary J. Blige, the rapper sits in a DJ booth and plays classics such as "Money Ain't a Thang," and "Hard Knock Life." Every time he plays a song, he cuts it off with an expletive. During the Friday show, he included his wife's hit "Crazy in Love," which he often does. But this time, after he cut it off, Beyoncé joined Jay-Z on stage and danced to the tune as the crowd cheered.

Among those at the sold-out show at at Madison Square Garden were Justin Timberlake, Jodie Foster and Naomi Campbell, reports MTVnews.com. Before leaving the stage, Beyoncé walked over to her husband, swirled and gave him a smile. Jay-Z responded by doubling over laughing.

The Hearts of the City Tour next hits Atlantic City, New Jersey on Monday night and returns to New York on May 6 and 7.

Beyonce and Jay-Z engaged rumors fuelled again

Beyoncé Knowles has once again fuelled rumours she is engaged to long-term boyfriend Jay-Z. The Crazy in Love singer — who has been dating record executive and rapper Jay-Z since 2002 — was with her beau at a New York nightclub when fans spotted her wearing the diamond sparkler on her ring finger.

One eyewitness said, “She was wearing a huge diamond ring on her ring finger. When she noticed that I and some others noticed the rock, she quickly hid her hand. Then she reached behind her to where her bag was, and after placing her hand in her bag, the ring disappeared!”

Meanwhile, the former Destiny’s Child singer has signed up to star in new thriller Obsessed, in which she plays the wife of a man targeted by a female stalker. She will star alongside Heroes beauty Ali Larter in the film directed by Steve Shill. She had earlier received critical acclaim for her role in 2006 hit movie Dreamgirls and recently has announced she will be playing blues singer Etta James in Cadillac Records.

Beyonce to executive produce, star in film

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. recording artist Beyonce Knowles has signed on to executive produce and headline a 1950s-set film about Chicago's famed Chess Records.

"Cadillac Records" was written by and will be directed by Darnell Martin, The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday.

Martin previously worked on the TV movie "Their Eyes Were Watching God."

Knowles, who has starred in "Dreamgirls" and "Austin Powers in Goldmember," will portray iconic singer Etta James in "Cadillac Records." She will also record four songs for the soundtrack, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Adrien Brody is set to play label founder Leonard Chess, while Jeffrey Wright is to play Muddy Waters, Cedric the Entertainer is to play Willie Dixon and Columbus Short is to play Little Walter, the trade paper said.

Source :UPI

Beyonce, Tina Turner duet at Grammy Awards

As seen on Bestofbeyonce.com

Beyonce is rumored to be duetting with Tina Turner at the Grammy Awards.

Soul and pop legend Tina hasn't performed live since 2000 and was thought by many to have retired from on-stage performances.

But now the New York Daily News have received word from a source that the pair will duet at the ceremony.

Crazy Right Now singer Beyonce has long professed her admiration for veteran Tina, so fans of both will await the February 10 award night with anticipation.

Source:ANA

Beyonce to play Etta James on big screen

Washington, Jan 27: Singer Beyonce Knowles is all set to play legendary singer Etta James in a new movie, it has been revealed.

The former Destiny's Child singer has given a nod to undertake the lead role in new Hollywood drama Cadillac Records.

The singer, who is dating hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, will star as jazz legend Etta, whose most famous hits include 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' and 'At Last'.

"Beyoncé is a massive fan of the superb Etta. She's honoured to play her," Contactmusic quoted a source, as saying.

The movie discovers Chicago in the 1950s, looking at the lives of American musical legends such as Muddy Waters and the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.

Beyonce, who last starred in Dreamgirls, will join Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Cedric the Entertainer in the film.

Brody will play the role of Leonard Chess, the founder of legendary blues label Chess Records.

Filming is due to take place later this year (08) in New Jersey and Mississippi.