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Natalie Portman does lesbian sex scene in next

Last updated on: December 31, 2010 14:41 IST
A scene from Black Swan

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Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman has said that her steamy lesbian love scene in Black Swan might be the key to the thriller's success.

The said scene with Mila Kunis served as a necessary selling point for the critically acclaimed film, she said.

'Everyone was so worried about who was going to want to see this movie. I remember them being like, 'How do you get guys to a ballet movie? How do you get girls to a thriller? The answer is a lesbian scene. Everyone wants to see that,' the New York Daily News quoted her as telling Entertainment Weekly.

The 29-year-old said that the dark love scene was the key to drawing both sexes to see the drama, which features Portman as an increasingly unstable ballerina who battles Kunis, and her own psychological demons.

Meanwhile, the physical and emotional stress of the role took its toll on the actress, who reportedly lost 20 pounds in pursuit of a rail-thin dancer's physique.

'There were some nights that I thought I literally was going to die. It was the first time I understood how you could get so wrapped up in a role that it could sort of take you down,' added Portman.

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Boney M singer Bobby Farrell no more

Last updated on: December 31, 2010 14:41 IST
Bobby Farrell

Boney M singer Bobby Farrell was found dead in his hotel while on tour in Russia.

The 61-year-old singer performed as scheduled in St Petersburg on Wednesday night, but complained of breathing problems before and after his show, according to agent John Seine.

The cause of his death is not clear, said to Sergei Kapitanov, a representative of St Petersburg's branch of Russia's investigative committee, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Boney M -- consisting of Farrell, Maisie Williams, Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett -- were one of the most successful bands of the late 1970s.

Farell rose to fame for his lip-synching as much as his dancing in the disco band. The band's hits include Daddy Cool, Ma Baker and Rasputin.

Geri Halliwell launches beachwear

Last updated on: December 31, 2010 14:41 IST
Geri Halliwell

Former Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell has launched her own beachwear range.

Halliwell, 38, who had been known as Ginger Spice, came out with the 'Geri by Next' collection, which will be available from next month.

'It's about inspiring confidence with great looking swimwear for all body shapes,' the Daily Mail quoted her as saying. 'It's for real women of all shapes and sizes. Everything is mix and match, so you can choose the exact shapes and styles that suit you. This is a collection that makes you look good and feel fabulous.'

Reese Witherspoon's Ashoka ring

Last updated on: December 31, 2010 14:41 IST
Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon was recently seen sporting a four-carat engagement ring.

The 34-year-old actress got engaged to talent agent Jim Toth on December 28 after a whirlwind romance.

The engagement ring is an Ashoka cut set on a pave diamond and platinum band.

The shape was re-created based on the famous 41.37 carat diamond named after the Buddhist warrior-emperor Ashoka Maurya and is known for its exceptional beauty and unique cut.

'In the past year, the retro look in diamonds has been very popular,' Radar Online quoted jeweller William Goldberg as telling People magazine of the design. 'It's a very elegant cut and it has an old feel to it,' he stated.