People: Hi, bye, Miss America’s pie
Three years ago, newly crowned Miss America Kirsten Haglund was eating tiny portions of food and became so thin her concerned parents “dragged me to the doctor.”
Haglund was diagnosed with anorexia, and the lack of nutrition caused her collar bones to stick out, her heart rate to drop and her relationships to suffer.
“I would feel fatigued walking up six stairs,” says the 19-year-old. “I was a completely different person. It’s not a pretty sight.”
Haglund plans to spend her yearlong reign trying to raise awareness of eating disorders, promoting the pageant and helping the Children’s Miracle Network while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The aspiring Broadway star even ate the silver medallion chocolates left on her pillow in her suite at the pageant hotel, Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
“Yes, oh my gosh, yes,” she says. “I love chocolate. Chocolates are a girl’s best friend.”
While the 5-foot 8-inch Haglund says she isn’t about to “let myself go,” she doesn’t plan to skip any meals during her reign.
“I’m going to enjoy my food,” she says.
New chapter for Page?
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page said Monday he’s ready for a world tour following last month’s reunion concert in London.
“The amount of work we put into O2 was what you would normally put into a world tour anyway,” Page, 64, said of the intense rehearsing the band did for the Dec. 10 concert at London’s O2 Arena.
But nothing is likely to happen before September, since lead singer Robert Plant will be touring with bluegrass star Alison Krauss.
On-screen chemistry
Sylvester Stallone says he used human growth hormone to get buff for the new “Rambo” movie.
“Testosterone to me is so important for a sense of well-being when you get older,” says Stallone, 61.
“Everyone over 40 years old would be wise to investigate it because it increases the quality of your life. Mark my words, in 10 years it will be over the counter.”
Oh, the horror
At age 60, best-selling author Stephen King has to accept that he’s no longer middle-aged.
“I look the same as I ever did when I look in the mirror. I can still see the kid there. But people seeing you see someone who’s older,” King says.
“I went to a movie theater, and the woman asked if I wanted my golden-ager discount. I asked how old you have to be for that, and she said 65. I said, ‘Not yet, dear.’ “
Quoteworthy
Jack Nicholson, on romancing at age 70: “I can’t hit on a girl in public like I used to. I never thought words like ‘undignified’ would come into my own reflections on myself, but I can’t do it anymore.”
The birthday bunch
Actor John Forsythe is 90. Actress Katharine Ross is 68. Actor Tom Selleck is 63. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is 54. Actress Judy Norton Taylor (“The Waltons”) is 50. Director-actor Ed Burns is 40. Actress Heather Graham is 38. Actress Sara Gilbert (“ER,” “Roseanne”) is 33. Guitarist Jonny Lang is 27.