Just 'cause

Here's Leighton Meester looking oh-so-pretty and smiley and happy as she exits her NYC hotel with the wind blowing in her hair yesterday.

The jeans, the shoes, the hat, the bag -- girl knows how to do casual in the city.

Thanks again, Rachel Dratch

Yesterday I had a Debbie Downer of a day.

Lucky for me, I just discovered watching SNL's classic Debbie Downer sketch instantly helps pick me up in such instances.

Cory Monteith, good Canadian boy

"It's a part of your genetic make-up when you grow up in Canada, watching the CBC and stuff. You watch hockey. Hockey would be on the television. Even if you're not a hockey fan, you're watching hockey," Cory Monteith tells NHL.com of his deep-rooted hockey love.

More + video at the source.

Oh hey there, Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth is looking pretty damn easy on the eyes in the May 2011 issue of Interview Magazine.

The 27-year-old Australian star of Thor was photographed by Robbie Fimmano for the story.

Having started his career on Australian soap Home & Away, Hemsworth tells the mag he was able to bring some childhood experience to his action star turn as Thor .

"As a kid, I loved any fantasy," he says. "I grew up in a household with two brothers and we lived in the bush. We were constantly building weapons and forts and things. But I didn’t set out to be an action hero."

Two more shots from Interview inside.

Glee covers Unpretty; Shockingly, I like it!

In an attempt to rid my life of things that anger and frustrate me, I quit watching Glee early in its second season.

Yesterday, however, I followed a link to listen to the show's rendition of TLC's 'Unpretty,' which aired as part of Tuesday's episode.

And I'm a little shocked to admit, I can't get enough of this version of the song!

Now this shock has nothing to do with the source material. I have and always will be a TLC fan (RIP Left Eye), and have and always will love this song.

Rather, I'm surprised by the amount of restraint shown in Glee's production of the song, resulting in a softer, gentler version of the poignant tune.

I didn't know Glee did soft and gentle.

Dianna Agron and Lea Michelle hit this song out of the park, using their smooth voices to channel its emotion without getting over dramatic about it. The musical arrangement is simple and (can I say?) pretty, while mashing the lyrics with those of I Feel Pretty adds extra meaning to the song.

I have no idea how this fit into the plot of the show, and it's probably better that way.

I think this is how I'm meant to enjoy Glee. By finding a random gem of a cover online every six months or so.

Don't be an ass, Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake tells Entertainment Weekly he's trying to cut out one of the few reasons I'd be tempted to check out his upcoming romcom Friends With Benefits.

“I’m trying to cut down my ass time [in the film],” he tells the mag, of his revealing role in the film, for which both he and costar Mila Kunis show off some skin. “I’m slowly chipping away in the editing room every time I can get on the Sony lot. Because it’s my ass, dude!”

Yes, it's your ass, dude. And let's be honest -- it's more likely to get me to watch your movie than your acting abilities.

Don't be an ass, Justin Timberlake. But please, do show yours off.

On the cover: Michelle Williams for Interview

Michelle Williams looks not quite herself on the June 2011 cover of Interview Magazine.

I think it's something about the bleached blonde eyebrows and vacant look in her eyes that's just throwing me off a wee bit.

The 30-year-old two-time Oscar nominee, whose next film release is called Meek's Cutoff, talks to the mag about her process of choosing roles.

"How do I say this? It’s like a mechanism in my life that runs on its own," she says. "When other things in my life don’t, and are broken and aren’t going well, for some reason my decision-making mechanism has a little engine of its own, and it’s fine. So I don’t overthink it. I’ve come to learn that the choices I labor over and go back and forth about and ask a million people for their opinions and make lists about . . . those are always the wrong choices. I’ve definitely made a couple of those, and that’s how I know now that it’s not the best way for me to decide."

Thus far, that sure seems to work for Williams, who has chosen to focus on the present when it comes to her career.

"I don’t think of it as building, or really even a career," she says. "It’s just what appeals to me right now, without any real thought about how it’s going to affect my future, or even how it relates to my past work. I have faith in the fact that, as I change, so will the things that I’m interested in, as long as I keep up my own change."

Click inside for more photos by Mikael Jansson for Interview Magazine.

Sighting!

Shenae Grimes chain-smoking outside Lit Espresso Bar on College at Ossington in Toronto yesterday afternoon.

Tina Fey chats with Google

If you've recently been told work hasn't been this slow in seven months, why not take an hour-long break today and enjoy this video of Tina Fey promoting her new book Bossypants.

Ms. Fey sits down for a fireside chat with Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, and covers a whole range of topics in the process.

Such topics include, but are not limited to: Kim Kardashian and standards of beauty; improv strategies and being a female comedy writer; Alec Baldwin, Sarah Palin, and Tina's daughter Alice.

Plus, find out the context in which Tina utters this quote:

"I've seen a lot of Full House and never on purpose."

C'man. What else are you doing for the next 56 and a half minutes?

Nelly Furtado says: VOTE!

Hey Canadians, we've got less than a week till election day.

And Nelly Furtado, for one, is doing her part to combat voter apathy, specifically among young Canadians.

The 32-year-old Victoria, B.C. native took to YouTube on Sunday and posted the above video, which encourages young people to get out to the polls on May 2.

"You're not really voting for a person, you're voting for you. You're voting for the youth. You're voting for our demographic," she says in the vid. "You're saying 'Yes we do vote, and isn't that great.' Because politicians cater to their audience, so let's become a part of that audience. This can be exciting."

Anyone following Nelly Furtado on Twitter knows she's been tweeting about the importance of voting since the election was called.

I've been thrilled to see Nelly encouraging the vote with such enthusiasm. There's still time to watch the video, do some research and decide who you'd like representing you in Canada's government.

Help write my Summer Fun List!

After a brief hiatus last year when I decided to freestyle my summer fun, I'm officially bringing back the Summer Fun List for 2011!

Not only is it fun to look at a list of the fun things to do, I enjoy feeling like I've accomplished something when I check off items, and it forces me to share my mundane adventures with you, the Out Is Through reader.

That said, I'd like your help! Please suggest some fun things for me to do and blog about in and around Toronto this summer.

I've already started brainstorming.

All the staples of a great Summer Fun List will be there -- ice cream on hot days, patio beers, strengthen friendships (new and old).

I've also got a few new items to look forward to: Jackay's cottage, ride a bike, try more kinds of cheese, plank, bake a pie.

If there's anything you've ever wanted me to blog about doing, seeing or eating speak now, or get ready for multiple posts about my street meat, burrito and iced passion tea lemonade consumption.

Hit me up in the comments, yo!

Hanson: Still MMMBopping

Hanson appeared on last night's Dancing With The Stars, kicking off the show's 'Guilty Pleasure Week' with a rendition of their 1997 hit MMMBop.

Personally, I don't consider MMMBop a guilty pleasure, because I feel no guilt listening to it.

It's currently the #24 most played song on my iPod, largely because it hasn't left my dance party playlist since I started making them in 2006.

Needless to say, I couldn't help but smile watching Taylor, Isaac and Zac perform their biggest hit 14 years later.

They may have 17 kids between 'em, but to me they'll always be those long-haired teenagers roller-blading around a strip mall parking lot.

The Look: Helen Mirren in Dolce & Gabbana

Helen Mirren looked smokin' fine at the U.K. premiere of Arthur this past week in London.

The 65-year-old actress combined a flowing floor-length animal print Dolce & Gabbana gown with a black leather biker jacket, proving she can work sexy with an edge.

Combing her hair back and accessorizing with sparkling hoop earrings, Dame Helen looked gorgeous, youthful and of course ever-classy, in a way so many Hollywood actresses could only aspire to.

Love it!

Why do you hurt me, McDonald's Canada?

Hey guys, remember how excited I was last year when I was in London, England around Easter time and had a Creme Egg McFlurry from McDonald's literally everyday for the week I was there?

Well then you can imagine how excited I was when a few weeks ago my friend Kristen sent me a message that she saw the Creme Egg McFlurry's return to Canada advertised in the GTA.

Finally, I thought, McDonald's Canada has come to its senses, and that delightful combination of soft serve, choclate chunks and yellow goo would become a temporary staple in my diet once again.

Well let me tell you. I thought wrong.

Finding and subsequently consuming the Creme Egg McFlurry in Toronto, despite its promotion, was way more challenging than I ever expected and put a real strain on my relationship with McDonald's. Never have I felt such resentment towards the establishment that has provided me so many delicious Big Macs over the years.

Strike one: Saturday April 16. I'm told the McD's at Yonge and Wellesley doesn't have the Creme Egg McFlurry yet, as I stare at a large display board advertising it. "When will you get it?" I ask. "Tomorrow," they respond. I wonder if they could just bring the ingredients out and I'll show them how to make it.

Strike two: Tuesday April 18. Two locations in the downtown core are now sold out of Creme Egg McFlurries. Two days after I was told it's not yet available. The second location offers to make me one with the chocolate chunks, and either chocolate or caramel sauce. "No thank you," I say politely, to which the kind staff member says "Yeah, it wouldn't taste the same."

Strike three: I tweet my frustration, and get the following response from McDonald's Canada: "Sorry Chris 4 unsuccessful egg hunt. Product was like a wild bunny: catch it if you can." That stock line is all fine and dandy, but doesn't get a Creme Egg McFlurry in my tummy, nor my wasted time back. Not pleased.

And then: Thursday April 21, my brother and I enter a McDonald's in Mississauga. Two subways, a GO Train and car ride away from my place of residence. The sign is there advertising the Creme Egg McFlurry, but by now I know that means nothing. "Do you actually have the Creme Egg McFlurry?" I ask, sounding dejected and without hope.

And then, I received a response I never thought I'd hear: "Yes, we do."

I immediately ordered two of those suckers for my bro and I, and the kind McDonald's staff member told me "It's a good thing you got here today. We're almost out of the mix, and then it's over."

The Creme Egg McFlurry tasted delicious, and I was sure to enjoy every scoop as I knew I wouldn't be finding another one this year.

And with that, I urge McDonald's Canada to take some tips from McDonald's London and not piss me off by making me search high and low for a product that you've been promoting.

I love the Creme Egg McFlurry. Heck, I love McDonald's. But like a strained relationship, the way you played with my heart is going to take time to heal.

I hope my next Big Mac doesn't taste like bitterness and resentment. Mayhaps I'll have to start making an annual trips to London in April.

Notes on meeting Tommy Wiseau

In September 2010 I saw The Room for the first (and thus far only) time at a midnight screening at The Royal on College St.

The experience of watching the 2003 independent film with an enthusiastic cult following was more than I could have dreamed up. The hooting, hollering and spoon-throwing was only outshone by the cinematic masterpiece itself, chock full of dialogue gems, dropped storylines, low-budget green screen scenes and football-throwing.

As my friend Katie and I walked home that night we laughed and recounted our favourite parts of the night's delightful entertainment. Until a series of unfortunate events led me to lose my wallet and phone and end up in the emergency room getting six stitches around my eye.

I had since distanced myself from The Room. I didn't want to end up losing another phone and having to reprogram all my contacts again. (Actually, subsequent screenings just never jived with my busy social schedule).

On Wednesday night, however, I came full circle with the harrowing experience.

You see, the film's mastermind (director, producer, writer, actor) Tommy Wiseau, and his pretty boy costar Greg Sestero are in town this weekend to attend screenings at The Royal tonight through Sunday.

And on Wednesday evening, just as I was sitting down to dinner, I got a text message from my Katie: "I am at a bar right now with Tommy Wiseau," it read. "You gotta come down here."

I sat and ate my dinner for a good five minutes before realizing if I didn't get down there I might regret it for the rest of my life.

I then grabbed my camera and speed walked down College St. faster than I ever have, feeling the burn, and hoping it would be worth it.

"Are you here to see Tommy?" a random gentleman asked as I walked through the doors of The Wilson 96, still trying to catch my breath.

"I am," I said, as Katie waved to me.

I walked over to the table where she and a handful of other The Room fans sat, with Tommy Wiseau presiding at the head.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Chris," I said, as I shook his hand.

He shuffled over and said I could sit beside him if I'd like. Still confused about what the heck was going on, I sat beside Katie, and turned to my right only to discover I was now sitting beside pretty Greg Sestero.

Thinking how amazing my life is sometimes, I then sat in silence, taking mental notes on this informal meet and greet with a cinematic genius and his attractive actor friend. Here’s a few observations I made.

All grown up: Abigail Breslin in Notte by Marchesa

Little Miss Sunshine is growing up!

Abigail Breslin is now 15-years-old, and walked the red carpet at the 2011 Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Hot Pink Party in NYC last week looking positively flawless.

Ms. Breslin donned a bold red chiffon Notte by Marchesa dress, featuring embroidery on the bodice, empire waist and cap sleeves.

It's a classy choice, but still age-appropriate.

Finished off with straightened blonde locks and a little black eye makeup, girl's also learning to work her pose.

LATFH: Penn Badgley vs. Vanessa Hudgens

This is a post to draw attention to how ridiculous Penn Badgley and Vanessa Hudgens looked at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in California last weekend.

What are you trying to pull, you two?

Feel free to discuss who deserves the bigger eye roll (I say Vanessa).

More photo face-offs inside.

Whatever you say, Sofia Vergara and David Beckham

In the age-old Coke vs. Pepsi debate, I feel particular loyalty to Coke.

No specific reason, it's just something I decided in my youth.

Sometimes if I order a Coke at a restaurant and the server asks "Is Pepsi okay?" I'll respond with an "I suppose . . . " and a slight eye roll.

Yeah, I'm that guy.

But now Sofia Vergara and David Beckham have come along to challenge this brand loyalty.

The super gorgeous, hot, smokin-fine, beautiful duo star in a just-released advertisement for Diet Pepsi, above.

Seriously, could they have picked two more beautiful people to star in 30 seconds of video, shot at a beach?

As you know, I love beautiful people. I like to think of them as my peers, and as such it's important we support each other in our endeavours.

So does this mean it's time I trade Coke in for Diet Pepsi?

Next time I'm lounging next to Sofia Vergara at the beach and David Beckham kicks his soccer ball my way, I'll probably give it a try.

[Behind-the-scenes vid from the commercial shoot inside].

Billie Joe Armstrong on . . .

WRITING POLITICAL MUSIC:
“It dawned on me at the end of the last tour that things had become heavy. It’s a fuckking balancing act, man. And you don’t want to always write about politics just for the sake of writing about politics. I don’t want to become Rage Against the Machine. Bono is having lunch with George Bush to get money from him. I don’t operate that way. I stick to my opinions.”

AMERICAN POLITICS:
“The Democrats are a bunch of fucking pussies. It was so smart for the Republicans to embrace the Tea Party: ‘We don’t believe everything you say, but we’ll listen to you.’ I get more confused every day. Then I feel like I’m not doing enough. It starts to make my head explode. Maybe I should go talk to the troops in Afghanistan.”

SARAH PALIN:
“I listen to the shit that comes out of her mouth, and I’m just in awe. These are Sunday-school teachers becoming politicians. Mike Huckabee? He’s the guy that diddled you while holding the Bible. He’s so soft-spoken, so Mr. Rogers. Palin is the same—it’s this sneaky way to make Americans feel comfortable, but you know they’re rotten to the core.”

More at Details.

The Look: Reese Witherspoon in Jason Wu

Reese Witherspoon looked so darn pretty at last night's NYC premiere of her new film Water For Elephants.

The 35-year-old actress wore a fantastic white Jason Wu Fall 2011 dress, featuring contrasting black floral details and a voluminous knee-length hemline. It's simple yet fun -- a sophisticated party dress, if you will.

Reese finished off the look with Louboutin heels, and sparling bracelets, opting to keep her hair and makeup simple yet elegant.

Looking fab!

Reese previously wore Jason Wu on the red carpet last October. Gurrl, it works for you!

Adele + Britney = Rolling Till The World Ends

Thanks to Renee for sending me this great mash-up of Adele's Rolling In The Deep and Britney's Till The World Ends, two of my favourite songs right now.

Love!

On the cover: Mark Ruffalo for Details

Mark Ruffalo brings his handsome self to the May 2011 cover of Details Magazine.

The 43-year-old actor tells the mag his Oscar-nominated turn in The Kids Are All Right was almost his acting swan song.

“I’d had it with L.A., and I really had it with the business side of acting, the machinery of it all," he says. "You’re an artist, but then all of a sudden you’re a product at the same time, and there’s this company that’s sprung up around you. I got depressed. I was losing my love for it. So I said, ‘I’m done.’ I fired everybody and moved my family out here (Callicoon, NY). I had to make a radical move.”

Audience reaction to Kids at Sundance, however, reminded him "I’m an actor, and my whole life has been geared towards being an actor.”

Phew, that was a close one!

Next up, Mark's playing The Incredible Hulk in The Avengers, a role he's not stressing to get into shape for.

“No, no, no. Look, I’m eating guacamole and potato chips . . . You think Tom Cruise does this?”

More cover story here.

More photos and behind-the-scenes video from Mark Ruffalo's Details shoot behind the cut.

Jodie Sweetin's kids don't read Out Is Through

Meth addict turned mom Jodie Sweetin's kids are in for a shock if they ever read her book UnSweetined, or any post on this blog, as she tells People.com they're currently unaware of her status as meth addict turned mom.

"[My struggles are] pretty much in the past," Sweetin told People at her three-year-old-daughter Zoie's birthday party on Wednesday, which for some reason she invited press to. "Hopefully, it'll never be anything my kids have to be a part of. I wish I hadn't gone through that, but I did."

The 29-year-old Dancing With The Stars hopeful is also mother to eight-month-old Beatrix.

In between birthday cake and presents, Sweetin revealed she doesn't plan to "sit down and talk to my kids about it preemptively or anything," but she won't lie when they ask her about her past.

Which is a good thing, since it's so well documented.

"I've been really open about what I've gone through in general, so if they ask me about it, I'll be open with them, too," she says "I don't think there's any reason to hide it. It's nothing I'm ashamed of. But just like with various people my own age, I'm not just going to go out of my way to talk about it with my kids."

We know you don't think there's any reason to hide it. You've been riding your former meth addiction to get attention on People.com for how long now?

And in a statement I'm sure Sweetin will disprove as she continues to marry different dudes, she says two kids is enough for her.

"I think I'm done having kids," she says. "If I had more, it would be in a few years from now, but I think I'm good."

Oh Jodie Sweetin. You deserve a reality show.

Kelly Clarkson: Don't You Wanna Stay on American Idol

Kelly Clarkson returned to the American Idol stage last night to perform her hit song Don't You Wanna Stay with country crooner Jason Aldean.

While I didn't jump on board this song right away, I have to say the past couple months it's really been helping fill the Kelly Clarkson drought.

My new goal of life is to hit the note Kelly hits at the 3:02 mark.

The Look: Emma Stone in Preen

Emma Stone looked fantastic as she stepped out to the Conde Nast Traveler Annual Hot List Party in West Hollywood on Monday.

The 22-year-old Easy A actress donned a pearl blue Preen spring 2011 beaded dress, which she accessorized with a thin white belt and Christian Louboutin slingbacks.

I like the dress, but I love how it works with her blonde hair and fushia lips.

This is one of the first times Emma Stone as a blonde has really worked for me on the red carpet.

On the cover: Adele for Rolling Stone

Adele looks beautiful as always on the cover of Rolling Stone, but even if you told her that she probably wouldn't give a damn.

"My life is full of drama and I won't have time to worry about something as petty as what I look like," she tells the magazine. "I don't like going to the gym. I like eating fine foods and drinking nice wine. Even if I had a really good figure, I don't think I'd get my tits and ass out for no one."

She doesn't mind encouraging it from other performers, however.

"I love seeing Lady Gaga's boobs and bum," she says. "I love seeing Katy Perry's boobs and bum. Love it. But that's not what my music is about. I don't make music for eyes. I make music for ears."

And we love you for it!

Adele's album 21 has now been at the number one spot for 11 straight weeks in the UK, which is the longest consecutive run at number one for a studio album by a solo artist in British chart history

Go on, girl.

More excerpts from Rolling Stone here.

Oh to be Blair Waldorf

It's Chuck vs. Dan vs. a prince, all vying for Blair Waldorf, in this new two-minute trailer for Gossip Girl's remaining five episodes of the season.

The CW series returns from its long, long super long hiatus next Monday, and this overdramatic trailer is pretty entertaining.

Who would you choose? I'm currently in a Dan mood, with a side of Nate, even though he's not part of this current love square Blair has going on.

Oh hey there, Jesse Williams

Every time I come across a photo of Jesse Williams online, I get lost in his eyes for a good five minutes.

So I thought I'd post a few red carpet photos of the 29-year-old Grey's Anatomy star, in case he has the same effect on you.

Left, he's pictured at the 4th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Right, he's at the Beautiful People Party Hosted By Paper Magazine And Guess.

More inside if you've got the time.

Just 'cause

Here's Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette at last night's Hollywood premiere of Scream 4.

The movie's out Friday, and I can't wait to see it!

On the cover: Glee girls for Marie Claire

Glee's Lea Michelle, Amber Riley and Dianna Agron join each other on the May 2011 cover of Marie Claire, in addition to each getting their own covers.

If you ask me, Ms. Amber is the standout of these cover shots.

I wish Dianna Agron's hair wasn't all jacked up on her cover. And Lea Michele seriously needs to ease up on that diva eye fuck she loves to work so much. She looks so much prettier on the group cover where she's smiling.

Meanwhile, Amber Riley's looking beautiful and happy flashing those pearly whites of hers.

"This @marieclaire is my first fashion cover :) my heart is so happy right now I could burst," she tweeted yesterday.

Congrats!

The Look: Evan Rachel Wood in Jill Stuart

Evan Rachel Wood is quickly climbing my list of favourite dressers.

The 23-year-old actress arrived to Sunday's Washington, D.C. premiere of The Conspirator looking fantastic in a Jill Stuart fall 2011 dress.

The long-sleeved, knee-length printed dress featured a neck tie detail with a couple pops of orange throughout.

She paired it with fierce Gucci red suede peep-toe heels and a black Ferragamo clutch.

I love how Wood's working the hell out of this dress with that pose. It's not a dress you'd normally see a young Hollywood actress choose for the red carpet, but she wears it with confidence.

On the cover: Reese Witherspoon for Elle UK

Reese Witherspoon is looking pretty fantastic on the May 2011 cover of Elle UK.

The 35-year-old newlywed and mother of two talks to the mag about the challenges of balancing her personal and professional lives.

"There’s this fallacy that we can have it all. I get it often, ‘Oh, you have it all’ - and I don’t," she says. "It’s hard. And there are times I take two years off and I don’t work. And there are times I go to work and I feel sick because I can’t see my kids for five days. And it’s real hard to go. Work is important to me. The kids are important to me. My relationship’s important to me. But all three can’t be functioning at 100 per cent at all times."

Witherspoon also discusses the importance of women supporting each other in the industry -- more so than they currently are.

"We’re just too hard on each other. Women need to be more supportive of each other, stop tearing each other apart. There’s plenty of room for all of us. There’s plenty of men for all of us. There’s plenty of jobs. There’s plenty of room! I really believe it.

"Another actress out there has a number-one movie? They’re going to make more movies about women. A female writer sells a script? They’re going to look at another script from another woman. The better one woman does, the better all women do.”

Well said, Ms. Witherspoon.

How do we feel about . . .

. . . Jim Carrey's new mohawk?

Is this for a role or a midlife crisis?

Dude's 49-years-old. Still, not the most ridiculous look I've ever seen.

On the cover: January Jones for Marie Claire UK

January Jones looks beautiful in purple on the May 2011 cover of Marie Claire UK.

The 33-year-old Mad Men star wore Gucci for the cover, and was feeling a little feisty during the interview.

"I'm masochistic," she says of what drew her to acting. "I'm afraid of judgement and I couldn't think of a job where you're more open to judgement, more exposed. I always have to face my fears."

Jones goes on to say she appreciates her alone time, prefers a small group of friends to an entourage, and doesn't have time for dating.

She also tires of talking about herself.

"When I talk about myself, half the time I'm lying," she says. "I do it because I'm bored of talking about myself, or I have nothing left to say, or I want to be private that day."

That may have a few side effects, however . . .

"Everybody writes that they think I'm so unhappy,' she says, though she maintains that's not the case. "Not at all. I'm in my own head. I'm doing things. Keeping things interesting."

More great photos behind the cut, and more interview quotes at Marie Claire UK's website.

Neve Campbell on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

Neve Campbell appeared on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight this week to promote Scream 4.

The interview started with the obligatory "So . . . Scream 4?" question, but later George actually asked Neve some interesting questions that I've long wondered, like why she left Hollywood and mainstream movies behind.

Here's some choice quotes from Neve . . .

ON BLACK SWAN:
"I haven't had a chance to see it yet . . . I do really want to see it, I do enjoy seeing dance films, I imagine I'll be a little bit critical. I mean, part of the reason that I created The Company is because I hadn't thought there had been many dance films out there that had ever given you a true version of what it is to be a dancer and what that world is about."

ON ATTENDING THE NATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL OF CANADA:
"People say to me, if I had a daughter would I ever put her in dance school, and I'll do everything I can to make sure she doesn't. But if she has to do it, if it's in her instincts and she's passionate about it you can't really stop people."

ON MOVING TO LONDON:
"For me, when I was in Los Angeles I was just tired of being in a city where it was all about the industry. Where it's guaranteed if you're in Los Angeles in a restaurant, every single table around you is either a director or a writer, or an actor or someone talking about a script, or a producer, or financing. And every single billboard is something to do with the industry, and even the news, everything you get on the news there is about the industry, about the Oscars. You wouldn't be hearing about Libya as much as you should be. And I just started to get really frustrated about that . . . Personally I prefer to be in an environment that inspires me in a greater way."

ON CREATING HER OWN PROJECTS:
"To me it's better to be proactive than to sit around and complain that there aren't enough good roles. The industry has definitely changed, the climate in the industry is pretty tense at the moment. There's not a lot of financing, there's not a lot of money out there, so it's hard to get the good, meaningful projects made. Studios nowadays are having to be fairly predictable about what they make, because they want to guarantee box office, and unfortunately that's had an effect on what we get to see in the theatres."

ON HER SHORT-LIVED RETURN TO TV:
"I went to South Africa and I made a show called The Philanthropist for NBC, and unfortunately it only went nine episodes because the network didn't know how to make a show about world issues. It wasn't about cops or hospitals, but the intent was right."

Another great interview from Neve! Love love love her.

Click here to ch-check out Neve's full interview on CBC's website.

The difference a day makes . . .

Left, Zac Efron photographed with a rather distracting pornstache at Fig & Olive restaurant in West Hollywood on Tuesday night.

Right, Zac Efron photographed sans stache at the premiere of Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure in West Hollywood on Wednesday night.

Gurrl, facial hair isn't for everyone. Keep that upper lip clean shaven.

Lady Gaga: MMVAs performer

Lady Gaga will perform live from Toronto as part of the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards, the network announced today.

The 'Born This Way' singer is the first confirmed participant for this year's show, set to air live on June 19.

This marks a return to the Queen and John chaos for Gaga, who performed in a flaming bra at 2009's MMVAs.

We can only guess what Gaga has in store this year, though since we're in Canada may I suggest it would be equally entertaining and creepy if she and her dancers all donned Justin Bieber wigs.

Or I was thinking maybe she could borrow Harry Potter's invisibility cloak for her performance, then try to convince us afterward she was even there at all.

I'm just spitballing here. You have any better ideas?

While we're bringing back performers from the 2009 show, may I also suggest the return of Kelly Clarkson to the MMVAs stage? With her new album dropping on September, perhaps she could debut her new single for us fine Canadians.

Think about it, Much.

Quick take: Britney Spears' 'Femme Fatale'

Last week I bought my first ever Britney Spears album. Her new one's called Femme Fatale, you may have heard of it. I figured, hey, I'm 26-years-old, and I'm not getting any younger. It's time to jump on the Britney Spears bandwagon, a mere 13 years after everyone else.

Femme Fatale is a highly processed, completely danceable album of tracks, devoid of much emotion. And that's what we've come to expect from Ms. Britney, correct? A series of catchy tunes without much substance lyrically. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The album leads with Till The World Ends, by far my favourite track off the album, and Brit Brit's latest single. It is impossible not to dance in your chair when this song amps up. With lyrics that proclaim "See the sunlight, we ain't stopping, keep on dancing till the world ends" this could easily be the anthem of my life.

From there we're launched into a series of beat-pumping, voice-altering tracks that err more on the techno side than I'm used to from Britney. They're engaging, and there's a certain sexy edginess to them. They also make it hard for me to listen to the album straight through at one time. I'm usually sitting at a desk and not dancing at a club when I'm listening to music, y'know?

Favourite songs for me include Inside Out, How I Roll, Trouble For Me and He About To Lose Me, a list I just composed by scanning through the album and gauging my immediate reaction to the tracks. Do they include differentiating elements from the other techno-induced songs? Do they make me feel good or bad things when the sound hits my ears?

Big Fat Bass, a song featuring Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas is an immediate skip every time. I'm not sure if this reflects an aversion to Will.I.Am or an aversion to Will.I.Am chanting "BIG. FAT. BASS. BIG. FAT. BASS." But I don't get five seconds into this song before moving on to the next, unless I'm distracted.

Trip To Your Heart is a song of lyrical genius (SarcMark), while I swear I've heard the music from songs like Gasoline and Criminal somewhere else before.

Britney slows it down a bit for He About To Lose Me, a song in which her voice has been processed in such a way that it does not sound at all like her voice during the chorus. One of the thoughts I constantly have while listening to Femme Fatale is "There's no way Britney will even try to sing any of these songs live on tour."

Lest this sound like a list of gripes, I emphasize this is indeed what I signed up for, and I'm happy with my decision to join the millions out there who own Britney Spears albums. These songs are catchy, and a lot more musically complex than some of her past efforts.

Yes, I do believe there is some musical evolution in this album. It's still a completely manufactured Britney, but it's a different, edgier, harder-hitting manufactured Britney.

Jessica Szohr: Armpit model

It must be great to be Jessica Szohr.

Not only does the 26-year-old actress play the most unnecessary, least liked character on Gossip Girl, but Dove recently tapped into a couple of her greatest assets: her armpits.

That's right, Szohr is serving as the model for Dove's new campaign for 'Ultimate Go Sleeveless' deodorant.

You see, Dove’s parent brand, Unilever recently conducted a survey and found that 93 per cent of women find their armpits unattractive.

Enter Jessica Szohr to prove armpits are beautiful, courtesy of the above print ad.

Meanwhile, Vanessa (my friend, not the coffeemaker) offers another way of looking at the campaign: "Selling deodorant promoting not wearing shirts with arms makes me think that the deodorant would rub off on the shirt if it did have arms."

What say you, readers of Out Is Through? Is Jessica Szohr helping you feel good about your armpits? Or are hers so beautiful that they're giving you a case of armpit envy?

I've used the word armpit six times in this post. Now seven.

On the cover: Gwen Stefani for Elle

Gwen Stefani looks so damn gorgeous on the May 2011 cover of Elle, dubbed the 'Women In Music' issue.

Asked whether artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry have been influenced by her style, Gwen says she doesn't think so.

"Really? I don’t see myself in those girls. I usually put pants on," she says. (LOL!) "I see these girls as more going for the sex-symbol thing. I was more, in the band, like a tomboy. Of course, I think every girl is sexy, so there’s going to be a little of that. But I see a lot of younger artists going more toward the sexy thing.”

The 41-year-old singer, who's back recording with No Doubt, says she has no shame about trying to write hit songs that resonate with the masses.

"Why wouldn’t you want that many people listening to the songs that you wrote? There’s no way to go back after you have had it," she says. "So the intentions of even the solo records were always about trying to write those guilty-pleasure albums that just get in your head and you can’t get out."

Gwen was photographed in Givenchy and Michael Kors for the cover.

Also featured in Elle's Women In Music issue are Adele, Aretha Franklin, Feist, Nicki Minaj, Willow Smith, Florence Welch, Robyn and Stevie Nicks.

Click inside for more Elle photos of all these fantastic women!

Crazy Stupid Love Trailer (Or, 4.5 seconds of shirtless Ryan Gosling)

Ryan Gosling is following up his falling-out-of-love drama Blue Valentine with his first mainstream romantic comedy called Crazy Stupid Love, and the trailer reveals it will definitely be worth seeing.

Gosling plays a ladies man who helps a hapless man played by Steve Carell step up his game after his wife cheats on him.

And whoever cut the trailer knows what the girls and gays want: shirtless Ryan Gosling.

It's great to see Ryan play the stud that he is, and think back to his days as scrawny Sean on Breaker High.

Julianne Moore, Emma Stone and Marisa Tomei also star.

Warner Brothers has been removing the trailer from YouTube, so watch it while you can!

And click inside for some very necessary screen grabs from the trailer.

Kelly Clarkson: Hit medley on Ellen

Kelly Clarkson appeared on Ellen from Orlando today, where she performed a medley of her hits including Miss Independent, Walk Away and Since You've Been Gone.

Being the first and best American Idol, Ms. Clarkson hit it out of the park. Y'know, the usual.

Jason Segel talks Muppet movie

Jason Segel and Walter
Jason Segel and Amy Adams appeared at CinemaCon in Las Vegas last week, where they revealed details of the new Muppet movie in which they star, and which Segel also wrote and produced.

Set to open November 23, the pair play a long-dating and not-completely-happy couple who take a trip to L.A. with their third wheel friend, a new Muppet named Walter.

When they reach L.A. they find the Muppets haven't worked in years, leaving their studio in rough shape. They then attempt to save the studio from an evil oil baron by getting the Muppets back together to stage a reunion show.

Here's a few choice quotes from Segel on the film:

• “I do not do any full frontal nudity. Kermit, on the other hand, is always full frontal.”

• “The Muppets were my first comic influence as a kid, and I don’t know if you remember, but when you’re young, Kermit is Tom Hanks.”

• “I realized there is a whole generation of children who haven’t gotten to have the same experience I had. The Muppets never make fun of anyone. It’s all about kindness and laughter and love and friendship. That’s been missing in a lot of movies, and to bring that back for a new generation is a real honor.”

• "It was the hardest thing to get made that I've ever been involved in. This is a relatively high budget for a movie with puppets. It cost more than [Forgetting] Sarah Marshall, I'll tell you that. And it's such a beloved franchise. It was tricky to get everyone to agree on a script, on a budget, on a concept."

• [On where we find the Muppets at the film's outset] “Fozzie Bear is doing a terrible lounge act in Reno, Nev., singing old Muppet songs. It’s no Vegas. And I wrote a scene for Miss Piggy hoping we would shoot in Paris, but it turned out to be incredibly easy to fake on a green screen.”

I for one can't wait for more Muppet fun when this film hits theatres in November!

Candace Cameron Bure update

Hey guys, huge news.

Candace Cameron Bure -- that's D.J. Tanner to, like, everyone -- has a new TV movie coming up on FOX.

It's called Truth Be Told, it costars JAG's David James Elliott and the trailer is posted above for your enjoyment.

It stars Cameron Bure as a marriage counselor who's never been married, but then pretends to be married in order to get a great new job as a relationship expert radio host.

Now as far as I can tell, this movie does not have any strong Christian undertones, despite Cameron Bure's ability to weave her faith into any of her projects. (A book that explains how to be physically and spiritually fit? You don't say!)

Only time will tell, and you better believe I'll be watching on April 16 to see how this story unravels.

Truth be told, I'm kind of happy to see Candace get work without desperately seeking attention like some of her former costars. Well, namely one.

Go to there: Tim Burton exhibition @ TIFF Bell Lightbox

The Tim Burton exhibition's only in Toronto at the TIFF Bell Lightbox for another couple weeks, and with that deadline looming I finally got my ass in gear to check it out on Friday.

My biggest regret in not visiting sooner, is that I couldn't recommend it to you fine folks with more advance notice.

Offering a chronological collection of character studies, notes, artifacts and costumes from Burton's many inspired films, it proved to be a splendid way to spend an afternoon.

I was easily drawn to those pieces from films I knew well from childhood. Batman's mask, Catwoman's costume and Penguin's carriage from Batman and Batman Returns were only outshone in my eyes by Edward Scissorhands' costume. I stood and shamelessly stared at the details on that thing for quite a while, establishing that Johnny Depp's feet are maybe a size bigger than mine.

The exhibit also serves as a reminder of Burton's expansive filmography -- From Beetlejuice, Nightmare Before Christmas, and James and the Giant Peach to the more recent Big Fish, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory and Alice In Wonderland.

An adjacent room houses a collection of artwork from Burton's time in California art school in the 1980s, reflecting the development of his signature style and sense of humour.

Meanwhile, the exhibit is finished off with a collection of unrealized works -- character studies developed for projects that never came to full fruition.

Museum-goers are also treated to a screening of Burton's little-seen 1982 interpretation of Hansel & Gretel, which is bizarre enough to keep you fixated through its entire 22 minutes.

For the film buff or pop culture enthusiast, this is a great exhibit that offers insight into the artistic mind of Burton, in addition to an up-close look at cinematic artifacts.

The Tim Burton exhibit is at the TIFF Bell Lightbox until April 17. Click here for ticket info.