2009's celebo-scope
Women 24's Kele Scheppers recaps some of the celebrity highlights and foretells a not-so-bright future...
As always, South Africa has been the playground of American celebs in 2008. So much so that the Cape Town Film Studios were launched just before the festive season. The studio hopes to begin producing films in mid- to late 2009. Angelo Manzoni of the developing company Wesgro says, "Today, the average turnover for the industry in the Western Cape is R1bn per year." Let's hope the studio will help buffer the effects of the recession.
We forecast hectic competition for Tsotsi and X-Men Origins: Wolverine director, Gavin Hood.
Noeleen had a fabulous '08. Lionel Richie dropped in at the 3Talk studio in November for a cheesy (and slightly off-tune) sing-a-long. He talked about being the father of Nicole Richie. He must be proud. Kind of. Nicole's calmed down since having a baby in early August. Apparently, she won't follow Britney Spear's lead on motherhood.
Meanwhile Nicole's ex-best friend and party buddy, Paris Hilton trailed ex-boyfriend Benji Madden all the way to MyCokeFest. Madden shared the stage with his band members from Good Charlotte and four other U.S. bands who dropped in on our shores.
Just when we heaved a sigh of relief that we had the country to ourselves again, Miss World descended in a swoop of shimmery sequins and silk sashes. Miss Russia, Kseniya Sukhinova walked away with the title and Miss SA, Tansey Coetzee landed in fifth place.
One South African showed herself to have plenty of guts. The ex-headmistress of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, Nomvuvo Mzamane is suing Oprah for defamation. She hopes to walk away with $ 250 000 (R2 250 000). Apparently Oprah said, "I thought she cared about the girls of South Africa." Talking's an expensive habit.
We prophesy Mzamane will lose her case – if it gets to court. No one takes on the most powerful media-mogul the world and gets away with it.
Ag shame.
In August Helena Bonham Carter's four relatives passing away in a minibus crash in Johannesburg. Seems like it's becoming a trend when international stars' families cross our borders. Déjà vu anyone?
The death of world-reknown musician Miriam Makeba in November 2008 was equally tragic. Thankfully, more South African celebrities have survived 2008 unscathed than prior years.
Speaking of deaths, 2009 is officially Egoli's final year. Fans of the show (if they still exist) can expect South Africa's oldest soapie to be in the coffin by March 2010. This hasn't fazed Heinz Winkler who took the leap from the stage to the screen and stars in the MNet soapie, Binnelanders.
Breaking up, making up and splitting up
Local divorce courts have been kept busy with celebrity marriages falling apart at the seams.
Soccer player, Mark Fish split up with Loui Fish. They were quickly followed by socialite Uyanda Mbuli who served up divorce papers on wealthy husband, Sisa Mbuli.
And while Zuma isn't one for divorce, he's celebrating his latest court win by getting married to wife number 5. I predict we'll see Zuma's fourth wife getting sick of the trend and applying for divorce after her political career has taken off in August '09. Of course, he won't be too sad. He'll probably be planning his ninth wedding by then.
We can also expect Steve Hofmeyr to start resembling Tom Cruise. Hofmeyer chucked a cup of tea at You/Huisgenoot editor Esmare Wiedeman at the Miss World pageant. He excused the incident by blaming the media for… what else? His divorce. We predict he'll jump on Noeleen's couch, change his religious beliefs… then get a little psychiatric help.
I'm just happy that Steve's wants his kids. The police were after afro-pop singer, Preston Sihlangu for maintenance. You need to feed your kid man.
And in other news.
Our Miss SA, Tansey Coetsee and Miss SA Teen, Kopano Mocwane have (as usual) been quiet. In all likelihood, the ladies will resurface just in time to hand over the crown in '09 and disappear again. What's new?
What do you think our celebs will do this year?
- Women24