It Really Helps When You Wish Upon A Star

Mon., Jan. 17, 2000

Compiled From Internet

“Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me?”

Viewers will almost be able to hear the theme song from the Disney Channel’s “New Mickey Mouse Club” playing at tonight’s American Music Awards.

Christina Aguilera, who is scheduled to perform tonight, told LAUNCH.com that back in her days on the big rodent’s show, she just knew Mouseketeers such as Justin Timberlake and J.C. Chasez (of ‘N Sync) would make it big.

“Well, I always knew that all of us were going to grow up and do something,” she said. “Like, we always had that feeling of each other just because of the fact that there was a lot of talent on that show. Everybody was so creative and really unique and different.”

Another graduate of the Mickey Mouse Club, Britney Spears, will present at the Awards and will also perform at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 23 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Loose talk

“She’s photogenic in handcuffs,” stated Tim Robbins of his companion, actress Susan Sarandon, at an event held in New York last week to honor her for her work on behalf of the Center for Constitutional Rights, a civil-rights group. He was referring to Sarandon’s arrest last year while protesting the fatal shooting of a West African immigrant by four police officers.

Guaranteed to be the next newsstand fave

Oprah Winfrey has created a new magazine that is set to launch April 17. Entertainment Weekly on the Web reports that the name of the magazine is O. Oprah was quoted as saying, “What I like about O is that it is simple and direct, and it is what a lot of my friends call me.”

Hey, they gotta have something to warm up to

L.A. Lakers wonder boy Kobe Bryant will team up with sizzling model Tyra Banks on the NBA’s TV special, “TeamUp Celebration 2000” on Feb. 12, hosted by Ahmad Rashad and Summer Sanders. The pair will duet on the ditty K-O-B-E, from Bryant’s first album, “Visions,” with rapper Q-Tip. Makes you wonder how no-nonsense Lakers Coach Phil Jackson feels about his all-star Kobe’s extracurricular activities - the team has been criticized for selfish showboating despite owning the best record in the NBA thus far this season. With prize center Shaquille O’Neal’s foray into rap, the two are providing plenty of distractions during the team’s march to the playoffs.

The birthday bunch

Actress Betty White is 78. Ballerina-actress Moira Shearer is 74. Singer-actress Eartha Kitt is 73. Actor James Earl Jones is 69. Actress Sheree North is 67. Talk show host Maury Povich is 61. Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is 58. Rhythm-and-blues singer William Hart (The Delfonics) is 55. Rock musician Mick Taylor is 52. Singer Steve Earle is 45. Actor David Caruso is 44. Singer Paul Young is 44. Singer Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles) is 43. Actor-comedian Jim Carrey is 38. Singer Shabba Ranks is 34. Singer Ray J is 19. Country singer Amanda Wilkinson is 18.

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