Sexy Latin crooner Shakira started something big last Tuesday, but this time it is not about her career. Hand in hand with many other stars, she launched a foundation which aims to help the poor children of Latin America. A notable partner in this venture is the write Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Interesting bedfellows, I should say.

The name of the foundation is Latin America in Solidarity Action, or ALAS – short for its Spanish name. The foundation is to be based in the City of Knowledge which was once a US Army base and is located near the Panama Canal. This area is already home to various academic institutions, non government organizations, and other high tech businesses.

It is interesting and encouraging to hear about news like this. Big names in the entertainment industry have always had the propensity to help others less fortunate than them. Yet a project of this nature closer to home seems to be overlooked sometimes. In this case, it seems that other celebrities have been mesmerized not only by the appeal of Shakira but by her brilliant ideas as well. Other well known names involved in the foundation are Ruben Blades, Juanes, Ricky Martin, the rock group Mana, Aleks Syntek, David Bisbal and Alejandro Sanz.

How do they plan to raise funds for the foundation? Obviously, by using what talent they have. Shakira plans to hold five concerts in 2007 to help raise funds. Five may not seem much but if a lot of people contribute and hold charity concerts of their own then it would amount to something. I don’t know about you, but knowing that my money goes to help others rather than fatten the producer’s pockets makes me feel better.

Nicole Richie has always been a tad too slim for many people’s tastes. In fact, rumor has followed her around for the past few years – rumor that she has had eating disorders. As the year 2006 draws to an end, however, Nicole Richie seems to have found something to help her look – and maybe become – healthier.

So what is behind Nicole Richie’s new “healthy” look? She paid the professionals a visit – plastic surgeons, that is. This, in fact, is nothing new. Different people have a variety of reasons for seeking the services of plastic surgeons. We all know that. Many times, though, what we hear of are celebrities who do so to have some extra cellulite taken off. In Nicole’s case, it is quite the opposite – she had breast augmentation done. Come to think of it, it is not so unusual either. I mean, who has not had this procedure done?

Her new look is not all based on plastic surgery, though. It has long been known that this controversial figure has been undergoing medical treatment to add a few pounds here and there – thus the speculation that she had an eating disorder. As such, her weight gain could be attributed to her natural efforts to become rounder. Yet plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn of Detroit states that her breasts could not have been a result of something natural. He says that her breast size have increased from AA to B – based on pictures – and that this sudden increase in such a short period of time cannot possibly because of her natural weight gain.

Right from the start of her career, Britney Spears started making waves. She has gone a long way since then and we all have to agree, the waves she has been making these past weeks are quite of a different nature! After a much publicized divorce from her husband Kevin Federline, Britney seemed to break free from whatever was restraining her.

Nights out with the girls – no less than Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan – put her in the front pages of tabloids all over the country. The infamous crotch shot of Britney while pumping gas stirred up a lot of comments, especially her fans. According to Britney, she has been cooped up too long. Indeed, she hasn’t celebrated her birthday in about 2 years! This seems like a cop out to me, guys. She is trying to get back into the good graces of the very people who propelled her to fame.

In her website, Britney admits that her recent escapades may have been going “a little too far.” So what is a little too far? It’s a relative thing, I guess. Smart girl, though. She knows that she needs her fans to be on her side. If her fans hate what she has been doing and how she has been behaving, and she doesn’t do a anything about it, she’d be in hot water. Then again, if I were her and I just really wanted to enjoy myself, why should I care? Of course, I am not her and I am not the one earning big bucks as a result of the patronage of a lot of people…

Who would believe this of the much exposed heiress? Well, she may be a quitter, but online in a “celebrity” sense of the word.

Three days before the Billboard Music Awards, Paris Hilton backed out of her emceeing duties. The original plan was for her and Britney to host the Billboard Music Awards. Weeks before the event, though, Britney Spears pulled out of the job.

So what was Paris’ excuse? Apparently, some of the lines for the hosting job made fun of several friends. As such, she felt that it was not right to make fun of these people on National TV. Hmmm, Paris Hilton as a sensitive girl?

Indeed, this is a new side we are seeing. According to her publicist, Elliot Mintz, Paris did not want to say anything that may hurt or embarrass people she knows. It seemed that she tried to make a compromise with Billboard but apparently, none was reached.

So how did Billboard react? Well, the organizers remained silent about the issue except to say that they would still welcome either host should they change their minds. Obviously, there was no change of heart for either Paris or Britney – who by the way are best friends right now. The Billboard Music Awards went on without the two hosts last Monday.

Perhaps it wasn’t such a big loss at all as the show was a success. Now this leaves me wondering how this latest stunt from one of Hollywood’s most controversial figures will affect her reputation…

One of the very popular stars of Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria, is set to be married next year in France to her fiancé Tony Parker. Eva’s publicist, says that Tony proposed to Eva last Wednesday. For those who do not know (which is quite impossible I think!), Tony Parker plays guard for the San Antonio Spurs.

After their game Wednesday night, he flew to Los Angeles and popped the question to Eva at her home when she got off from work. What a sweet surprise for our Desperate Housewife! She told Ryan Seacrest, who by the way is a long time friend of the couple, that when she got home, Parker was there surrounded by candles and rose petals. Seems like many girls’ dream to me!

Though her role in the hit TV series is one of an unfulfilled housewife, it seems that this is not what the future has in store for her. The couple, always sweet and caring to each other seems to have a bright future ahead of them. They have been together since January 2005 and met some rough waters in September but quickly got back together.

Eva says her wedding is not going to follow the trend that many celebrity weddings have followed. Instead of a wedding covered by secrecy, she wants one that is “huge and beautiful” and says that she just can’t wait. To be honest, I would say the same thing if I were getting married to that basketball star of hers!

Lindsay Lohan seems to be the hot topic these days. Just a few days ago we featured her and now we can’t help but put her in the spotlight again. As the week ended, her publicist Leslie Sloane announced that Lohan has decided to attend Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. According to Sloane, Lohan reached the decision on her own. In addition to this, she says that Lohan is optimistic yet remains grounded. She says that Lohan is not saying that she’ll stop drinking tomorrow but sees the AA meetings as a decidedly big step.

This young actress has always been a controversial figure as she rose to popularity. Her cute image has been dotted with incidents which do not exactly fit what she was trying to project. That, however, has not served to decrease her fan base. In fact, we could say that these incidents have only helped her become more visible.

So what do I think about this newest hullabaloo? As Sloane said, her greatest fear is that someone would blurt out to the world what chapter (of AA) Lindsay is going to. That would surely make things more complicated – not only for Lindsay but for those poor people in that AA chapter as well. Sure, Lindsay has had her share of slipups, many of them pointless, yet I believe in this issue she should be left alone. I mean, yeah, those who want to talk about it go ahead. Yet give the poor girl some breathing space – give her a break!