‘Queen’ Madonna arrives in Israel
Israelis are gearing up to get down at Madonna’s show as the pop diva landed in the holy land ahead of her world tour, which kicks off here next week.
The Material Girl’s motorcade entered the Tel Avi Dan hotel parking lot Friday as guards shielded the superstar from the media. Fans are dressing up as the superstar at Madonna theme parties in Tel Aviv clubs and bars.
Madonna isn’t Jewish but she has adopted the Hebrew name of Esther and studies Jewish mysticism. She is known there as “Queen Esther” and Israeli media announced that “the Queen has arrived.”
Madonna is expected to visit holy sites in Israel ahead of her “MDNA” world tour that will kick off May 31 in Tel Aviv.
Knightly finds her Mr. Righton
Keira Knightley, the glamorous star of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” is engaged to marry musician James Righton, her publicist said Friday.
Publicist Sara Keene said the couple were not releasing any details of the proposal, and did not have any comment on wedding plans.
Righton is a keyboard player for the rock group Klaxons. He and Knightley, 27, have been dating since early last year. Previously, Knightley dated actor Rupert Friend for several years.
Allman heading down the aisle, again
Gregg Allman is getting married for the seventh time.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member has told several interviewers this week that he’s engaged to his 24-year-old girlfriend, Shannon Williams, and Allman’s publicist and manager confirmed the news Friday morning.
Allman talked about the unexpected love he felt for Williams in an interview with the Associated Press earlier this year for a story about his memoir, “My Cross to Bear,” but admitted he was leery about taking the relationship further because of his past difficulties in his love life.
Little is known about Williams, who entered the 64-year-old rock pioneer’s life after a liver transplant and a run of health difficulties. Allman told the AP in a love-struck voice he met her while in Florida on Friday, Jan. 13, and “I am totally in love.”
The birthday bunch
Actor Alec McCowen is 87. Sportscaster Brent Musberger is 73. Rock musician Garry Peterson (Guess Who) is 67. Singer Stevie Nicks is 64. Actress Pam Grier is 63. Country singer Hank Williams Jr. is 63. Former astronaut Sally K. Ride is 61. Country singer-songwriter Dave Robbins is 53. Actress Genie Francis is 50. Comedian/director Bobcat Goldthwait is 50. Singer Lenny Kravitz is 48. Actress Helena Bonham Carter is 46. Joseph Fiennes is 42. Actor-producer-writer Matt Stone is 41.