Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: World War Z premiere

Angelina Jolie said she feels ‘wonderful’ after stepping out in public for the first time since undergoing a double mastectomy.

The 37-year-old US actress heaped praise on her fiancé Brad Pitt as she joined him on a black premiere carpet in Leicester Square for the world launch of his new £260million zombie flick World War Z.

‘I feel great, I feel wonderful and I’m very very grateful for all the support, it means a lot to me,’ said Jolie, who wore a black floor length Saint Laurent dress.

‘He’s been extraordinary. He’s such a wonderful man and a wonderful father, I’m very very lucky.

‘I’ve been very happy just to see the discussion about women’s health expanded and that means the world to me.’

As for Pitt, he returned the compliments.

‘I was so proud of her before,’ the 49-year-old told Metro, after Jolie underwent three months of procedures to lower the chance of developing the breast cancer that claimed her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, and last week her aunt, Debbie Martin’s life.

‘What you guys are seeing is just absolutely who she is and how she has always been. Faced with a problem she’s going to face it head on and find out what her options are and going to make a smart decision for her and share that knowledge with whomever will listen.’

‘I always want her by my side,’ Brad said when asked how important it is for them to be together. ‘We have work to do but it’s more fun when she’s around, you know.’

Away from his own films and personal life, Brad also revealed that he thinks it is great that David Beckham is considering a career as a movie star, and hinted that he might consider an exchange of talents.

‘I think he’s got what it takes,’ he said, adding: ‘I want him to teach my kids soccer!’

Meanwhile, Jolie was relishing a family night out. ‘I’m very excited for Brad and I think it’s a really fun film, my boys are around tonight so they’re enjoying it. It’s a lovely thing.’

[Originally published Metro Guilty Pleasures 2 June 2013]

Little Mix: Underage drinking in the States not possible

Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall will be trying to avoid getting busted for under-age partying in the States later this month – where the legal drinking age is 21.

‘Me and Leigh-Anne, we like to party,’ the 19-year-old singer said after handing out Ice Creams and singing her latest hit How Ya Doin’? in London’s Covent Garden on Monday.

‘But when we went to America last time, it was so embarrassing,’ she went on. ‘We only went into this little bar in the hotel and I got ID’d and I was absolutely mortified. I had to go home! It was like I was 14 again.’

The girls will be across the pond to ramp up their assault on the American charts, where their debut single ‘Wings’ is currently doing well.

And the band are hoping to join fellow Brit’s One Direction who will also be stateside at the same time.

‘Perrie can meet up with Zayne although I’m not sure where they will be as they’re so busy,’ Jade told Guilty Pleasures optimistically. ‘Fingers crossed we’ll be able to meet up.’

[Originally published Metro Guilty Pleasures 6 May 2013]

Kate Nash: I’m angry about everything

Former BRIT Award winner Kate Nash has lashed out to express her anger at being dumped by her record label.

The 25-year-old Foundations singer was forced to self-release her last album, ‘Girl Talk’, in March after Universal pulled the plug on her record deal.

But far from leaving a bad taste in her mouth, it gave her the attitude to make her best music to date.

‘Having f***** up stuff happen to me left me needing to express anger,’ the singer told Guilty Pleasures after performing at the legendary 100 Club in London last week.

‘I’m angry about everything. The s*** that happens in your life that is not cool and people being s**** to you. I’ve definitely changed as a person because a lot of big things have happened. But then it’s a good thing. It has to be a good thing as it will change you and strengthen your character.’

She also spoke about losing a close friend who died at the age of 24 after a life-time of battling cystic fibrosis.

‘That was really s***,’ she said. ‘She was one of the coolest people ever. It made me really realise that that was the only bad thing that happened. Losing someone I loved was painful.’

With her friend’s death putting her own problems into focus, Nash found herself wanting to improve her own flaws as a consequence.

‘She made me want to be a better person and live a better life rather than be selfish. I think about her a lot. Especially when I’m touring. I just want to be as creative as she was and as productive and gracious. She was not selfish at all. She was funny, she had a sense of humour, she was kind, and cool and I just want to be like that, you know?’

Nash completed a 21-date UK tour and has now headed to the States to for more live shows in support of her third album.

[Originally published Metro Guilty Pleasures 6 May 2013]

Alan Carr: I want to do Strictly Come Dancing

Alan Carr says it’s high time he camps up Strictly Come Dancing with a little Lambrini-fuelled Cha Cha Cha.

‘I would love to do Strictly,’ the toothy comic told Metro at the Bafta TV Awards.

‘I mean, I can dance. I’m a trained dancer. …that’s a lie. But I’d love to do it. A bit of Latin Fever!’

Insisting he’s in with a shout, the 36-year-old revealed: ‘Bruce Forsyth was the first ever guest on Chatty Man and I got this phone call the next day but you know when you don’t know what the number is? I didn’t answer it and I checked the message after and it went “Hello it’s Brucie! I had such a good time on your show I think it’s going to be a good un!”’

‘And do you know I’ve always kept that and it’s my little lucky thing,’ said Alan.

‘For him to say it’s going to be a good un, I’m like yeah. …and I haven’t won an award for it yet!’

[Originally published Metro Guilty Pleasures 13 April 2013]

Holly Willoughby: BGT vs The Voice

Holly Willoughby says she’s standing by The Voice despite the Beeb show receiving a drubbing in a ratings battle with ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

‘Willoughboobie’, who has been showing off her cleavage as host in a bid to ignite interest in the singing contest, remained buoyant despite Saturday’s show shedding 600,000 viewers and trailing Simon Cowell’s show by 3.5million.

‘I love it as a show regardless of the ratings,’ the 32-year-old blonde told Metro as she took to the Bafta TV Awards red carpet in London. ‘Whether they’re brilliant or not so brilliant – it’s all the same to me I just love doing the show.’

Insisting the TV drama on her show was fierce, she said: ‘The coaches all want to win this year. Tom wants to keep his crown and the others want to get a win. They are competitive, they want to win.’

Holly insists she can still smile after BGT’s comic impressionist, Francine Lewis, took the mickey out of her.

‘She came on This Morning,’ said Holly. ‘Isn’t it the biggest form of flattery when someone imitates you?’

Meanwhile, Hols says she is going to miss her buxom rival Kelly Brook, 33, on Celebrity Juice when Fearne Cotton returns from maternity leave.

‘Kelly has been brilliant,’ said Holly. ‘It would be difficult for anyone to come in and fill Fern’s shoes but Kelly and Leigh (Keith Lemon) have a really good relationship anyway. She’s a good fun girl when she walks in, she just wants to have a good time and that’s nice to be around, so that’s wonderful.’

‘Am I going to be sad when she’s gone? Of course I am! I’m gonna miss her but she’ll be back. Keith will make sure she’s back even if just so he can flirt with her.’

[Originally published Metro Guilty Pleasures 13 April 2013]