Top earning female artists of 2011

Forbes has released its ranking of the top-earning female singers in 2011. The following are the top ten on the list.

1. Lady Gaga ($90 million)

Top earning female artists of 2011

Singer Lady Gaga takes the stage before posing for photographers at the International Emmy Awards in New York November 21, 2011.

Bieber goes home for basketball

Musician Justin Bieber watches the Toronto Raptors play the Indiana Pacers during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto December 28, 2011

Selena Gomez thanks fans for support

Singer Selena Gomez poses on arrival at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Selena Gomez has thanked fans for their support following her mother's miscarriage.

The 19-year-old singer-and-actress pulled out of two concert appearances earlier this month when her mother Mandy Teefey lost the baby she was expecting and has now spoken publicly about the tragedy in a Christmas message to her followers.

She wrote on her Facebook page: "Belated Merry Christmas everybody... I can't thank you enough for all of your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate every one of you... I love you all so much and we hope you and your family had a beautiful Christmas!"

In her posting, Selena - who is dating Justin Bieber - revealed the baby was a girl who her mother and stepfather Brian had named Scarlett.

Signing off the message, she wrote: "Me, Momma, Brian and our guardian angel Scarlett."

Last month, the 'Wizards of Waverley Place' actress had spoken of her excitement at becoming a "big sister".

She tweeted: "Momma and Brian are finally letting me share the news... My mommys carrying my baby brother or sister :) I'm the happiest girl in the world! (sic)"

Mandy, a former actress, was married to Selena's father Ricardo Joel Gomez until the Disney star was five years old. She went on to tie the knot with Brian in 2006.

'X Factor' brings wins for 'shocked' Amaro, and Fox

Final contestant Melanie Amaro poses for photographs before a news conference for the television show ''The X Factor'' held in Los Angeles December 19, 2011.

"The X Factor" winner Melanie Amaro said on Friday she was shocked at her victory but believed that singing from her heart had given her the edge over her rivals in the TV contest.

Amaro's triumph also gave broadcaster Fox a ratings win, with Thursday's two-hour finale bringing in 12.4 million viewers, making "X Factor" the most-watched show of the night on U.S. television.

The 19 year-old from Florida won a $5 million recording contract, but said on Friday she was going to keep details of her first album a secret.

"I am going to keep everyone guessing as to what is going to come out, so people will go get it and they will be amazed," she told reporters on a conference call.

But she said she planned to spend some of her winnings on a foot massager and a new house for her mother.

"I feel as though I am in a dream. I feel as though this is not real...I was so thrilled to have won and so shocked," said Amaro.

Amaro's powerhouse vocals had made her a front-runner since her first audition for the show.

But she was cut from competition's early rounds, only to be later reinstated by "X Factor" creator Simon Cowell, in what TV watchers widely considered a manufactured drama to hype interest in the show's first season on U.S. TV.

Amaro on Friday said she did not know whether her initial elimination and call-back had been deliberately staged, but said she genuinely thought she was out of the contest.

"I had no clue Simon was coming to my house. I thought I was out of it ... I kept thinking I wasn't good enough," she said. "All I know is that he (Cowell) apologized about it. Whatever happened in the past, is the past."

Asked why she thought she had won, the modest teen said; "I think doing what I do, with all of my heart, put me apart from some of the other contestants ... I sing to the very, very pit of my soul because singing is something I truly enjoy."

Amaro's win closed a mixed first season for "X Factor", which Cowell brought to the United States from Britain with huge fanfare and predictions it would topple long-running "American Idol", also on Fox, as the nation's most-watched show.

But "X Factor" audiences have been about half those of "Idol" and producers on Friday declined to disclose the number of votes cast by the public in the finale.

Fox executives, however, say the show has been a success and has helped the network win Thursday nights in the fall with the key 18-49 age group for the first time in its history.

Fox also noted that the audience for Thursday's finale was 1.4 million more than that for the summer climax of NBC's rival TV singing contest, "The Voice".

Fox has already renewed "X Factor" for a second season but media speculation is rife over whether heavily-criticized judge Nicole Scherzinger, and British host Steve Jones will be returning in 2012.

Taylor Swift, T-Bone Burnett on 'Hunger Games' album

Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for Favorite Female Country Artist at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Country singer Taylor Swift will lead a host of musicians collaborating with Oscar-winning artist T. Bone Burnett for a companion album to the upcoming film, "The Hunger Games."

Movie studio Lionsgate said on Friday that Burnett has joined forces with Swift, The Decemberists, Arcade Fire and The Civil Wars to create original songs for the film, set for release in March 2012.

"We are thrilled to have such a hauntingly beautiful companion album taking shape," said Joe Drake, co-COO of Lionsgate.

Swift and The Civil Wars' collaborated together on the single "Safe and Sound," which was released on iTunes on Friday and topped the iTunes songs chart.

"The Hunger Games," starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson, is based on the young adult series of novels, and tells the story of teenage boys and girls fighting to the death on a nationally televised event in a country called Panem, built on the remains of North America.

The film is set for release in U.S. theaters on March 23, 2012.

We Found Love' tops chart in milestone for Rihanna

Singer Rihanna performs during a concert as part of her tour for her latest album ''Loud'' in Nilson Nelson gymnasium in Brasilia September 21, 2011.

Rihanna's single "We Found Love" on Thursday held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the eighth straight week, making it the singer's longest-running No. 1 single of her career.

The Barbadian chanteuse's single overtook Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," which stayed at No. 1 for seven weeks earlier this year, and beat her previous top-selling singles, 2007's "Umbrella" and 2010's "Love The Way You Lie" featuring Eminem.

"We Found Love" is the lead single from Rihanna's sixth studio album "Talk That Talk," and the singer will wrap her last concert on her "Loud" tour in London on Thursday.

LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," notched a seventh week at No. 2 on the singles chart, while Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain" held steady at No. 3, Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" climbed to No. 4 and Katy Perry's "One That Got Away" rounded out the top five.

Katy Perry named '1st artist of year'

Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Katy Perry's run of No. 1 singles has earned her the distinction of becoming MTV's first artist of the year.

Perry topped Adele after a spirited discussion among MTV's internal panel of experts, the network said Thursday. Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" was chosen top song of 2011, said Amy Doyle, the network's chief of music programming.

MTV also declared Skrillex its electronic dance music artist of the year over David Guetta.

Different parts of MTV would make "best of" lists in the past, but the network wanted to establish a franchise that brought all its online and TV arms together and emphasized MTV's music roots, Doyle said. The network, established in 1981, hopes it becomes an annual thing.

Seven panelists made the final choice, and their deliberations were featured in MTV programming this week.

"Rolling in the Deep" was an obvious selection as top song, Doyle said. Runners-up were Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" and Rihanna's "We Found Love."

"I loved the song the moment I wrote it," Adele said. "The melody and the beat added some conviction to it. I think that's why people connected with it."

Perry's achievement of tying Michael Jackson's "Bad" as the only albums to yield five No. 1 singles was particularly impressive, Doyle said. Along with the title cut, "California Gurls," ''E.T.," "Firework" and "Last Friday Night" (T.G.I.F.) all topped the charts. She's trying to beat the record with the current single "The One That Got Away."

"You just really felt her presence in pop culture throughout the year," Doyle said.

Skrillex, whose real name is Sonny Moore, describes his music as a combination of "dubstep, electro and glitch." MTV included the category of best electronic dance music artist to pay tribute to the way the style is taking off with its young viewers, she said.

MTV also asked its viewers to vote on their choice of the best live performances shown on MTV all year. Their choice was "Hurricane" by Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez to ring in MTV New Year

Singer Demi Lovato performs at the Z100's Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden in New York December 9, 2011.

Hey Justin Bieber - Selena Gomez already has plans for New Year's Eve.

Gomez will be ringing in the New Year in New York City's Times Square with fellow star Demi Lovato for MTV's live special.

MTV said Monday that both are due to perform, along with singer Jason Derulo and rappers J Cole and Mac Miller. The night's festivities will be hosted by Lovato and Tyler Posey of MTV's "Teen Wolf."

The show will air from MTV's Times Square studios. Fans can bid to be part of the audience. Proceeds will go to FWD, to help with the crisis in East Africa.

'The Iron Lady' premieres in New York

Actress Anne Hathaway arrives for the New York premiere of the film "The Iron Lady" in New York December 13, 2011

'We Bought a Zoo' premieres in NY

Cast members Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson arrive for the premiere of the film "We Bought a Zoo" in New York, December 12, 2011

All-Star Tribute to CNN Heroes

Actress and musician Miley Cyrus (R) and actor Liam Hemsworth arrive at the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California December 11, 2011

Justin Bieber 'still learning about girls'

Singer Justin Bieber kisses his girlfriend, singer Selena Gomez, as they arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Justin Bieber is "still learning about girls".

The 17-year-old singer - who has been dating actress Selena Gomez since early this year - admitted he doesn't know whether he will ever "really figure out" women, but he is happy to have found love so early in life.

He said in an interview with Atlanta Radio's 'The Bert Show': "I'm still learning about girls. Everyday is different. You have to go through different things. I don't know if you ever really figure it out but it's great!

"Life's all about that - finding the girl you love."

The 'Baby' hitmaker recently explained he is attracted to Selena, 19, because she is "hot" but he also insisted they share a connection because of their similar family backgrounds.

Justin said: "Everybody can see she is hot and that's great, but there is so much more to her than that. She makes me laugh and she puts up with my practical jokes. She has really strong family values as well.

"We were both raised by our moms in single-parent households, and that's given us a lot of the same family values in life."

'Twilight' movie wins slow box office weekend

Actors Robert Pattinson (L) and Kristen Stewart arrive for the British premiere of 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' at Westfield Stratford City cinemas in east London November 16, 2011.

The newest "Twilight" vampire movie ruled the domestic box office for a third time with $16.9 million in ticket sales over one of the slowest movie-going weekends of the year, studio estimates released on Sunday showed.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1" from independent studio Summit Entertainment beat a pack of family films at U.S. and Canadian theaters. The fourth and second-to-last film in one of Hollywood's most lucrative franchises added $40.2 million at international locations.

After three weekends in theaters, "Breaking Dawn" has soaked up $588.3 million in global ticket sales.

The "Twilight" movies are based on best-selling novels by Stephenie Meyer about a human-vampire-werewolf love triangle.

The third domestic win in a row for "Breaking Dawn" came during the post-Thanksgiving weekend, typically one of the bleakest of the year at movie theaters following big releases a week earlier.

This year, total U.S. and Canadian ticket sales rang up at an estimated $82 million for the weekend, making it the year's second slowest, according to Hollywood.com Box Office. Overall sales only slightly edged the $81.5 million take from the September 9 weekend that followed Labor Day.

With no new films released nationwide, sales also slumped 4.8 percent below the same weekend last year.

After "Breaking Dawn," the rest of the weekend's top five belonged to family fare.

Disney's "The Muppets" starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams alongside Kermit, Miss Piggy and their puppet friends, rang up $11.2 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters. The movie represents a comeback for the Muppet characters, last seen in movie theaters in 1999. Worldwide sales for the new film have reached $60.1 million through Sunday.

"Hugo," a 3D family movie about an orphaned boy who lives in a 1930s Paris train station, moved up to third place from its fifth place finish last weekend after expanding to more theaters. The film pulled in $7.6 million domestically, bringing its total after two weekends to $25.2 million.

Animated 3D movie "Arthur Christmas," which explains how Santa delivers presents around the world in one night, pulled in $7.4 million domestically to finish in fourth place. To date, the movie has brought in $70.6 million worldwide.

In fifth place, dancing penguin sequel "Happy Feet Two" earned $6.0 million at domestic theaters. Total global sales reached $85.8 million after three weekends of release.

Walt Disney Co released "The Muppets." Privately held Summit Entertainment released "Breaking Dawn - Part 1." "Arthur Christmas" was distributed by Sony, and Hugo was released by Paramount, a unit of Viacom Inc.. Time Warner unit Warner Bros. distributed "Happy Feet Two."

Star Tracks in December

Jessica Alba Sighting - Los Angeles. Jessica Alba is seen out and about in Los Angeles, USA on Nov 30, 2011

Tom Cruise promotes 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'

Cast members Paula Patton (L) and Tom Cruise pose at a promotional event for their latest film "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" in Tokyo December 1, 2011. Cruise kicked off the rollout of the fourth installment of his "Mission Impossible" franchise with a limited fan screening in Japan on Thursday ahead of its official world premiere next week

Star Tracks in December

US actor Tom Cruise is pictured upon his arrival at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, 30 November 2011. Cruise is in Tokyo for the promotion of his latest movie 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'.

Selena Gomez planning Xmas break

Selena Gomez is taking some time off around Christmas.

The 19-year-old beauty - who is dating 'Baby' hitmaker Justin Bieber - wants to have a few weeks off around the festive period after a busy year of touring and performing, and may be spending it with her boyfriend.

She said: "I've had a week off for Thanksgiving, and then I'm having a week-and-a-half or two weeks off for Christmas time. And then I'm just going to relax and do nothing."

Selena is particularly looking forward to seeing in 2012, but admits she has not "planned" anything in particular for the next year.

She told MTV News: "I feel like this approach of this year, I wasn't expecting any of the things that happened.

"And so I just kind of want to go into the end of this year and the beginning of next year just excited and in a good place and not planning anything."

The former 'Wizards of Waverley Place' star recently revealed she loves to bake in her downtime.

She said: "I like to bake - cookies and cakes and stuff. I'm not that good but that's the whole fun of it; you get to mess around and experiment."

Enrique Iglesias performs at NFL half time

Singer Enrique Iglesias performs at half time of the NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins in Arlington, Texas November 24, 2011

Celebrities perform at 2011 American Music Awards

Singer Justin Bieber performs at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011

2011 American Music Awards held in LA

Singer Justin Bieber and his girlfriend, singer Selena Gomez arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011

GQ 'Men of the Year' party held in LA

Justin Timberlake attends the GQ "Men of the Year" party in Los Angeles November 17, 2011

Selena Gomez loves to bake

Selena Gomez's main hobby is baking.

The 19-year-old star - who is dating Justin Bieber - loves to spend her free time in the kitchen when she is not on tour or on set, and although she confesses she isn't a culinary master she is getting better.

She revealed: "I like to bake - cookies and cakes and stuff. I'm not that good but that's the whole fun of it; you get to mess around and experiment."

When she's not baking in her spare time, Selena also likes to just relax at home and watch movies in her comfy clothes.

The 'Monte Carlo' star added: "It's nice to feel pretty and get dressed up but otherwise I'm definitely in jeans and my hair is up. I just like sitting on my couch watching movies."

This week, Selena has been worried about her three-month-old puppy Baylor after he almost died from eating some small rocks.

Selena - who adopted the Purina Puppy Chow last month with Justin - wrote on her twitter page: "My baby is sick :( praying for his surgery. (sic)"

Justin and Selena adopted Baylor after visiting the Winnipeg animal rescue centre D'Arcy's ARC, where they fell in love with him.

Justin Bieber staying positive

Justin Bieber is keeping his "head high" amid allegations he fathered a fan's baby.

The 17-year-old singer - who is dating Selena Gomez - has vehemently denied Mariah Yeater's claims that he is the dad of her four-month-old son and is doing his best to stay focused on his work despite the speculation in his personal life.

He told New York radio station Z100: "Right now, I'm focusing on my album and the music and the Pencils of Promise charity we're doing, and just being positive because Christmas time is a time for joy and happiness, so that's what I'm thinking.

"As far as the whole baby situation, it's unfortunate that it had to happen like that that. People make false accusations, but things happen in this industry and you have to keep your head high and be positive."

Despite admitting the claims could damage his reputation as a role model, Justin was able to joke about the claims, saying he wishes he had been the target of a different story.

He joked: "If it was up to me, it would have been a better story like, 'Justin Bieber went off to South America with this 27-year-old supermodel.' That would have been awesome.

"They say that any press is good press - I do not believe that's true. If you're in the spotlight, then people are looking at you to be a role model, and if you're doing bad things to be getting press, I think that's really, really sad."

Justin's manager Scooter Braun has also hit out at Mariah and her legal team after her new lawyer said yesterday he intended to pursue the matter privately out of court.

Scooter said: "Look, I don't usually talk in front of mics but the bottom line is they said they're in settlement talks with us, and the only thing I'm gonna say is they will never be in settlement talks with us.

"We will never settle with them. That's my little guy right there - I protect him - and they messed with the wrong crew.

"It's false and people should be held accountable when they run out and say this stuff. And they have this lawyer running around saying, 'Well, we want everything to be held confidentially now.' But you don't get to go out there and bad-mouth a 17-year-old kid to the entire world then suddenly think it's going to stay confidential. We're not gonna go away quietly."

Mila Kunis: acting was 'babysitter'

Mila Kunis started acting because her family couldn't afford a babysitter.

The Ukranian-born actress moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was seven years old and enrolled in a drama class as a way to meet other children.

She said: "My English was a little janky. I didn't have very many friends. And there was this place advertised on the radio as a place for kids to meet other kids - an acting class. My parents couldn't afford a babysitter. They said, 'Great, that takes up our Saturday.' "

Mila - who voiced Meg in animated adult comedy series 'Family Guy' - also admitted she can't understand why other actors regard their profession as "art".

Speaking to the new issue of GQ magazine - in which she is named Knockout of the Year - she said: "I love what I do, but my theory is that it's people who doubt what they do and want to prove it to you, they're like 'It's art. I create art. It's art, art, art.' I'm like, Holy s**t, are you f***ing kidding me? I run around and pretend I'm someone else for twelve hours; I record 'Family Guy'. Then I get to go home and watch 'Jersey Shore'."

The Black Eyed Peas tours in Asuncion

Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas performs during a concert on their Latin America tour at the Jockey Club in Asuncion November 15, 2011

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' premieres in London

Actors Robert Pattinson (L), Kristen Stewart (C) and Taylor Lautner arrive for the British premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" at Westfield in east London November 16, 2011

'Twilight' premieres in Los Angeles

Cast member Kristen Stewart poses at the premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles November 14, 2011. The movie opens in the U.S. on Friday.

45th Country Music Association Awards

Singer Taylor Swift poses with her award for entertainer of the year at the 45th Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee November 9, 2011

Shakira named Person of the Year

Honoree Shakira arrives at the 2011 Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year tribute dinner and concert honoring her at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada November 9, 2011

Shakira inducted into Hollywood Walk of Fame

Colombian singer Shakira poses on her star after it was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California November 8, 2011

Entertainment weekly photos: Oct 31-Nov 6

Actors Robert Pattinson (L), Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner hold hands after putting their handprints in cement during a hand and footprint ceremony at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California November 3, 2011

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez perform at MTV awards

Actress and singer and host of the show Selena Gomez addresses the audience at the MTV Europe Music Awards show in Belfast November 6, 2011

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez perform at MTV awards

Actress and singer and host of the show Selena Gomez arrives on the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards show in Belfast November 6, 2011

Selena Gomez speaks on 2011 MRV EMA

Actress, singer and 2011 MTV EMA host, Selena Gomez, poses for photographers at a news conference at the Odyssey Arena, in Belfast November 5, 2011. The 2011 MTV EMA will be held at the Odyssey Arena on Sunday.

Star tracks in November

Beyonce Knowles out in New York. Pregnant singer Beyonce Knowles arrives at a business appointment in Midtown, New York, NY on November 3, 2011.

Selena Gomez to stay professional with Bieber

Selena Gomez isn't worried about having to present Justin Bieber with an award at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

The 19-year-old pop star will host the awards ceremony - which will take place on Sunday (06.11.11) in Belfast, Northern Ireland - and insists she will remain professional if her 17-year-old boyfriend, who is to perform at the event, wins a prize.

Asked what she will do if Justin wins and she has to present him with an award in front of the crowd and a worldwide TV audience of millions, Selena said: " It's an awards show which I'm presenting, so I'm sure I'll be fine if I have to present an award to Justin."

Selena is excited about presenting the awards in Belfast as it gives her the opportunity to do some sightseeing as well as check out her favourite acts, though she admits she is worried some of the audience won't know who she is.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I can't wait, it's going to be really awesome. I am quite nervous though, especially because it's the European awards, not many people will be that familiar with who I am so there's even more pressure on me to be a good host.

"We're going to try to come up with really fun skits and my band and I will perform. I'm really wanting to make it be about the artists and people that are nominated, I really overall want to make it a fun show, not too crazy, just stuff that's about the music. I'm really excited to see Coldplay perform though, I think they're going to be phenomenal but there are so many great people nominated that it's going to be an awesome show.

"I'm going to come in for rehearsals so I'm really excited at the thought of spending a couple of days in Ireland and hopefully doing some sightseeing too."

The 2011 MTV EMA airs live from Belfast Sunday, 6th November at 9pm on MTV.

Lady Gaga visits India

U.S. singer Lady Gaga waves during a news conference in New Delhi October 28, 2011. Lady Gaga is on a visit to India this weekend, where she will be part of the star-studded unveiling of the country's first Formula 1 race

Coco Lee marries billionaire

Singer Coco Lee poses with her husband Bruce Rockowitz, President and CEO of Li & Fung Ltd, during their wedding in Hong Kong October 27, 2011

Michelle Yeoh is 'The Lady'

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh poses on the red carpet for her movie "The Lady" directed by French director Luc Besson at Rome Film Festival October 27, 2011

Ashley Greene becomes face of DKNY

Ashley Greene has become the new face of DKNY and DKNY Jeans.

The 'Twilight' star will appear in the brands' spring 2012 ad campaigns and says she can't wait to get to work.

She revealed: "I've always loved Donna Karan's creations. To be a part of the brands' message is incredibly exciting because it feels like such an organic fit. It's easy to talk about how these clothes work for my lifestyle, whether I'm in New York, L.A. or traveling for work."

Donna Karan vice president Patti Cohen says Ashley was the ideal person to front the campaigns because she is aware of the importance of social media sites such as twitter and Facebook.

She said: "Ashley embodies everything DKNY - her energy, her spirit, her eclectic personal style. She is on the forefront of what it means to connect with a global fan base through social media, a focus that is aligned with our digital and new media initiatives."

Ashley has previously revealed she refuses to get so slim she has a "child's body" as she prefers to have a healthy and toned figure.

She said: "A lot of people like to be super tiny, but I don't want a child's body - I want a woman's body that is extremely fit. It's so much sexier."

Justin Bieber tours in Caracas

Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber performs during his "My World Tour" concert in Caracas October 19, 2011

'In Time' premieres in California

Cast member Amanda Seyfried poses at the premiere of "In Time" at the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood, California October 20, 2011. The movie opens in the U.S. on October 28

Reports: French first lady gives birth to girl

French President Nicolas Sarkozy puts his hands on his pregnant wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy as they greet leaders for dinner at the G8 Summit in Deauville in this May 26, 2011 file photo.

French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday night - the first infant born to a sitting president of modern-day France, the French media reported.

President Nicolas Sarkozy, finishing up a meeting in Frankfurt on the euro debt crisis, was absent when the couple's first child was born shortly before 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), according to BFM TV. He reportedly arrived at the small, private Muette Clinic about 11 p.m. (0900 GMT) - his third trip Wednesday to the facility.

Europe 1 radio said the birth "went well" for the 43-year-old mother, a singer and former supermodel. She entered the medical facility in western Paris in the morning accompanied by Sarkozy, according to the reports.

There was no official confirmation of the birth. The presidential entourage reiterated earlier Wednesday that no birth announcement would be forthcoming.

The couple had been coy about the impending birth from the start, with measured doses of information.

"It's obviously a happy event," Nadine Morano, a junior minister and friend of the president, told BFM, clearly reacting to the news reports. Sarkozy was "very attentive, full of attention toward Carlo" when he spoke with her by phone on Tuesday during a flight with the minister to Nice, she said.

The couple married in February 2008, less than a year after Sarkozy took office iand less than four months after his divorce from second wife Cecilia Ciganer-Albeniz.

The Italian-born first lady has a 10-year-old son from a previous relationship and the president has three sons from his two previous marriages - and is a grandfather since January.

Sarkozy was seen entering the medical clinic in late afternoon, then leaving about 30 minutes later - before rushing off to Frankfurt for a meeting on the euro debt crisis ahead of a European summit on Sunday. With a scheduled visit Thursday morning to Normandy, Sarkozy was taking a gamble. It was not immediately clear whether he would cancel his visit to Normandy.

The birth ended sometimes breathless speculation about Bruni-Sarkozy's due date. Photographers staked out the clinic since early October, with a security detail limiting their access.

Bruni-Sarkozy has said that she was staying mum about the event because she's superstitious. The couple also decided not to find out the baby's sex in advance.

"You don't have a child for the gallery," Bruni-Sarkozy told French TV network TF1 earlier this month. "I will do everything to protect this child ... I will not show photos of this child, I will never expose this child."

While a newborn surely offers new personal horizons for the presidential couple, the question is whether a baby will bolster the sympathy quotient for the perpetually unpopular Sarkozy, especially if the infant remains in the shadows.

Sarkozy is expected to seek a second mandate in presidential elections six months away. However, recent polls put his chief rival, Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, in the lead.

Elle's 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute

Actress Evan Rachel Wood poses at Elle's 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute in Los Angeles October 17, 2011

Blake Lively visits Ryan Reynolds

Blake Lively has made a second visit to see Ryan Reynolds in Boston.

The 'Gossip Girl' actress - who recently split from Leonardo DiCaprio after five months of dating - was reportedly spotted having a romantic dinner with the 35-year-old hunk in exclusive Boston eatery Mistral Bistro last Monday (10.10.11).

A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: "It's getting more serious. Ryan really respects her."

While Blake was said to be keen to spend "a few days" with Ryan, who is filming new movie 'C.I.P.D' in the city, she was only able to stay one night before heading back to New York.

The visit came just days after the 'Change Up' star - who split from wife Scarlett Johansson last December - headed to the Big Apple to visit Blake on the set of 'Gossip Girl' last weekend.

A source previously said: "They hugged and then got in a car together. They became good friends on the set [of 'Green Lantern']. Now they're both single and trying it out. They're seeing each other casually."

During Blake's first visit to Boston, the pair enjoyed a romantic meal at sushi palace O Ya in the Leather District and were reportedly spotted kissing at Boston's South Train Station on October 3.

Despite also having been linked to Charlize Theron and Sandra Bullock since his split from Scarlett, Ryan insists he isn't "potent enough" to handle so many ladies.

He recently said: "Right now I seem to be on a speed-dating mission - at least according to those stories that are going around at the moment. Even my mom is confused. No man is potent enough to be able to go through as many women as that in such a short amount of time like I allegedly have!"

Kristen Stewart: Bella is best in Twilight

Kristen Stewart says the best character in 'The Twilight Saga' is Bella Swan.

Although she enjoys and respects the other characters in Stephenie Meyer's books, which the film franchise is based on, the 21-year-old actress believes Bella, who she portrays, is the most important persona in the vampire stories.

In an interview with Box Office Magazine, she said: "I sound so lame, but vampire Bella really is my favourite character - she's very representative of a matriarch. She's very intuitive on almost a psychic level and no one ever acknowledges it, which is interesting. And I think it's nice to see her finally get what she wants. That's probably the best thing, even if it sounds simple and indulgent, which is why the thing is criticised all the time. It's nice to see people be happy. And she really - if I've played it right - is born to be where she is."

Kristen admits it was a strange experience shooting the final two movies 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2' because the cast were saying goodbye to such a big part of their lives.

The actress also found it difficult to film scenes out of sequence because Bella undergoes so many changes over the two movies, including marrying her vampire lover Edward Cullen - played by her boyfriend Robert Pattinson - giving birth and becoming an undead bloodsucker.

Speaking about the end of the franchise, she explained: "It felt good. It was really weird. It was such a long process of the two movies being shot at the same time as if they're one. You shoot, obviously, out of order and you keep going back and forth between pregnant, human and dead vampire Bella. There's so many different versions of Bella in this, it's insane."

Dyan Cannon book recounts life with Cary Grant

Actress Dyan Cannon poses for a portrait at her home in West Hollywood, California October 12, 2011.

It was a fairy tale romance that turned in to a stormy marriage, and now Dyan Cannon has chronicled her relationship with Hollywood legend Cary Grant in her new book, "Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant."

With an age difference of over 30 years, the duo had a magical courtship in the 1960s that eventually gave way to the dark side of Grant after they were engaged. Following three years of marriage and not long after the birth of their daughter Jennifer, the couple divorced and Cannon suffered a nervous breakdown.

Cannon, now in her early 70s, sat down with Reuters to talk about her former late husband and what she's learned about love over the years.

Q: Why focus the book just on your years with Cary?

A: "I've been offered so much money over the years to write a kiss and tell, which this is not. I wanted this to be a helpful book, an inspirational book. It's really about the little things that happen in our relationships that tear us asunder, so I felt people would benefit from most of this."

Q: Is there an underlying message you wanted to relay?

A: "One of the biggest messages is that it is wonderful to love and to serve and to give. It's wonderful to try and make people happy, but it's impossible to do so."

Q: What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

A: "I know how people feel about Cary -- they love him. I didn't want people to lose the stars in their eyes about him. I wanted people to love him more at the end of this book than they did before. This book humanizes him. They'll understand what formed him. And I had such compassion for what formed him. But I also suffered a breakdown. So balancing all that was my biggest challenge."

Q: There must have been a lot of stories to sort through.

A: "I didn't know what to put in and what to leave out. The first (draft) was so out of balance. The second time around it started to take shape. The third time I thought, 'Maybe I've got it now.'"

Q: Cary was a big proponent of LSD use and wanted you to do it with him. But for you it was a disastrous experience. Do you think Cary had a drug problem?

A: "Absolutely not. With specificity, no. He thought LSD was his gateway to God, to peace, to that turmoil that wouldn't leave him alone. He thought it helped him, but I don't think it did. If it did, it gave him a peace that enabled him without being tormented 24 hours a day."

Q: Were you able to have a friendship after the divorce?

A: "We were polite."

Q: Was it hard getting your career back on track afterward? Did studio executives have to choose sides?

A: "Maybe some people for a moment. But Mike Frankovich was a good friend of Cary's. He was the head of Columbia Pictures and he chose me for 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' (which earned Cannon an Oscar nomination). So no, not really."

Q: When Cary passed away in 1986 at the age of 82, did that affect you at all?

A: "I was amazed at how I mourned him. I couldn't believe how hammered I was by his death, how deeply I felt his loss. I loved him so dearly, but some of that love had to get pushed down through all the pain."

Q: Was he the greatest love of your life?

A: "I've known a lot of wonderful men. I've known a couple of jerks. And I think the best is yet to come (laughs). I do. Because I understand love now. That's why I can say I'm a whole, satisfied, complete woman. But up to now, I've certainly had no experience with anybody like I had with Cary. I loved him and he loved me. I was the only woman in the world that he trusted enough to have a baby with. That's a big deal to me."

Q: Your daughter, Jennifer, has a three year-old son, Cary Benjamin. Do you see traits of Cary in her or in little Cary?

A: "More with the grandchild. There's traits in Jennifer that remind me of Cary -- wonderful traits. But the little guy, he's something else!."

Q: Will you write another book to encompass all the other aspects of your life?

A: "I'm not sure about writing another book. I've had offers but writing a book is the hardest thing I've ever done. I'd like to write and perform a one-woman show with other people as a part of it. I've talked to a friend of mine, we're contemplating it and I've made a lot of notes. But as far as a second book about my career and things that happened to me? I'm not motivated to do that."

Stars celebrate the 'Decade of Difference'

Actress Jessica Alba (R) and her husband Cash Warren arrive at The Clinton Foundation Gala in celebration of the organization's "Decade of Difference" in Los Angeles October 14, 2011

Looking for a good film? Head to the museum

Cast member Johnny Depp waves to fans as he arrives for a photocall to promote the movie ''Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, May 14, 2011.

When Johnny Depp appears on Thursday at a museum to introduce his movie "The Rum Diary," he will be doing what many stars do these days to promote passion projects that are seeing fewer art houses debut their films.

Depp is putting in a personal appearance to build word-of-mouth buzz for his movie among an audience group that most likely favors dramas over the feel-good comedies and escapist fare that are dominating theaters these days.

Moreover, he will be appearing at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) as part of a movie series backed by Los Angeles-based non-profit group Film Independent and LACMA that, like other museums around the country, are hosting more and more events for movies made outside Hollywood's major studios, as well as foreign-language films and obscure or older titles.

Depp and Bruce Robinson, who directed the movie based on the novel by Depp's friend Hunter S. Thompson, will sit down to discuss "The Rum Diary" with the Film Independent at LACMA curator and former New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell.

The overall series combines classic movies like Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" with new films like "Rum Diary" or the soon-to-be released, "Martha Marcy May Marlene," winner of the directing award at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

"I want it to be as expansive and as eclectic a program as possible," Mitchell said of the series. "I think it cuts quite a swath between Bruce Robinson and ('Accatone' director Pier Paolo) Pasolini to Charlie Chaplin and 'Jackie Brown,' the film that opened the series last month.

At the screening of "Jackie Brown," director Quentin Tarantino surprised audiences by showing up to field questions alongside cast members Pam Grier and Robert Forster. Down the road, the series will host a live table read of 1985 Brat Pack film "The Breakfast Club" featuring a surprise cast directed by Jason Reitman ("Up in the Air").

"Audiences don't really get a chance to see actors shaping a performance in front of their eyes," said Mitchell. "There's a whole group of filmgoers who have never seen live theater."

MUSEUMS AND MOVIES

Movies shown at alternative venues is nothing new, of course, but 'extras' like question-and-answer sessions and celebrity appearances are increasingly being used by museums and independent filmmakers as they compete harder than ever for a audiences distracted by information inundation.

Mimi Brody, curator at Northwestern University's Block Museum in Chicago recalls having to discourage students from opening their laptops during screenings.

"It's funny to see from the projection booth a sea of open laptops," she laughs. "They may be on Facebook while we're asking them to watch 'Guys and Dolls.'"

Tom Vick, curator of the Smithsonian Institute's film department, said it is increasingly difficult to generate crowds by simply showing a movie. Ideally, there is some extra ingredient to the mix to make an event special.

Vick currently is collaborating with the museum's contemporary art curator on a show in which video art will be displayed and the artist may be asked to select movies that have influenced their own work.

While fears persist that dramas, foreign-language and older movies by master directors may be crowded out of theaters, most curators remain confident that, over time, nothing will replace the collective experience of seeing a movie on a big screen. They say museums are the perfect place for that.

"You go (to a museum) because you want to get close to the artifact itself," declares National Gallery curator Margaret Parsons. "You don't want to see a digital version, whether it's a painting, a sculpture or some piece of archeological evidence, and likewise for a screening."

SWAT team raid Brad Pitt's World War Z

A SWAT team has raided the set of Brad Pitt's movie 'World War Z'.

The Special Weapons and Tactics unit was called to a warehouse in Budapest holding props for the horror apocalypse movie where they discovered and seized 85 weapons - including AK-47s and sniper rifles - which all contained live ammunition.

A police spokesperson told gossip website X17 the collection of assault rifles were a "disaster waiting to happen" and claimed an accident could easily have occurred with the loaded weapons.

This is not the only near disaster averted on set, 47-year-old Brad saved an extra from being trampled during a battle scene for the film in Glasgow, Scotland with 700 extras when she fell to the ground.

The quick-thinking actor scooped her up in his arms and put her back on her feet before she faced the risk of getting badly injured.

A source said: "Lots of people hurt themselves and Brad came to the rescue of one woman who slipped. I don't think she could believe it when Brad picked her up.

"He didn't have time to speak to her as it was mid-shoot. But she said afterwards how grateful she was, despite having a grazed knee."

Although the actress had her very own Hollywood hero to save her, many of the other extras weren't so lucky and were left with injuries following the dangerous battle scene.

The source added: "Loads of extras suffered bumps and scrapes. One extra playing a soldier was even hit by a moving car and ended up on the vehicle's bonnet, but fortunately he escaped unhurt."