That's a Wrap
The Beckhams were never boring to blog about. Whether they are photographed picking up dry cleaning or attending an A-list party, these two are certainly permanent fixtures in the celebrity scene. They seem like such a loving couple who is devoted to their family and I really admire that about them. As I tracked their lives for these past few months, I have realized that though they are this glamorous, super couple, they also seem to embody a lot of values that are often rare in Hollywood. In the bigger picture, this blog has allowed me to take the position of the reporter and select my own information and 'spin' on each post. In the past I had consumed media products, however, I had never actually produced them myself, i.e. in the form of a blog. It really gave me the chance to feel like a part of the sub-industrial roles that Gamson talks about. I had never before administered my own blog and it was definitely a fun experience. Thank you for following, and hope you enjoyed it!
-Ilana

Breakdancing Baby Cruz

Little Cruz, the youngest of the Beckham bunch is quite the talented 3-year-old. In his interview with Jay Leno, David said that his little one "is spinning on his head from morning to night" and Vic has called him a mini-Justin Timberlake in the making. Cruz's parents just enrolled him in hip hop classes at Millenium Dance Complex in North Hollywood, California and want him to realize his dancing dreams. Though Becks has said that all three of his boys enjoy playing soccer and are on local teams, he is very happy that Cruz has another artistic passion. The little tyke was seen showing off his b-boy skills for a sold-out crowd at the Spice Girls concert at Madison Square Garden in February. It seems that children of celebrities are almost always gauranteed fame on their own, so if Cruz really wants to pursue an entertainment career when he's older, he already has a good head start just by having the name Beckham and his celeb parents.

Marc Jacobs Campaign

Victoria is the face of the Marc Jacobs spring/summer advertising campaign. She is featured in 10 print ads and modeled some of the clothing from the designer's current line at Fashion Week in NYC this past February. The images from the campaign are eccentric and very animated to say the least. One of them features V laying in the fetal position appearing like an infant, while in others she is stepping out of a gift box or sitting in a shopping bag. The ads can be seen in the current issue of Vogue and will continue to appear in various fashion magazines throughout the season.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VICTORIA!
V turns 34 today, and enjoyed an early celebration last night with David, Kate Beckinsale and Len Wisemen, and Eva Longoria. The five of them went to Eva's LA restaurant, Beso, then went for coffee and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. Tonight Victoria and David will be attending British magazine's annual LA Bash- an elite party that celebrates the booming of British talent that is taking over Hollywood.
Check this out: VB also went out to dinner with David and the kids to celebrate her birthday and the paparazzi were everywhere. Here is a link to a video just to show you how difficult it is for the family to make it from the restaurant to their car. Even with the security guards and police, it's still mayhem!
http://x17video.com/celebrity_video/david_beckham/beckham_family_at_pink_taco.php

So much for a birthday present... V got slammed by the chic Kitson boutique that sells her denim line. Fraser Ross, the owner spoke about the line not performing up to expectation- "She’s not supporting the line. It’s not good for her brand and not good for her endorsements. In a tough economy, you need to be in partnership with the people that are selling your line to your fans. That’s the bottom line. And it’s not like she’s not nearby. Victoria lives fifteen minutes from the store. That’s just bad business. It is just unprofessional. We haven’t dumped it yet. Hopefully there will be some kind of resolution." Ouch! V is very passionate about her fashion line and her publicist says that the star has already contacted Kitson and plans to visit the store this weekend to do promotion and have a meeting of the minds. Even with that minor setback, I'm sure Victoria will enjoy her birthday, and will of course celebrate in a very posh way.

Becks- Blogging from LA and Loving the Lakers

David recently updated his own personal blog with news about his soccer career, charity, and his new friendship with Kobe Bryant.

Hi everyone,It was great to get a win in our first home game of the season against San Jose Earthquakes. I thought the whole team performed really well and I was really happy to score my first goal in the MLS and set a goal up for Landon Donovan. Hopefully, with three more home games in a row, we’ll get the results we want, starting with Toronto FC on Sunday.

Earlier in the week, I went to watch the LA Lakers basketball team play and met Kobe Bryant. It was great to see one of basketball’s great players in the flesh. He’s an outstanding athlete and one of the top players in the world and I was delighted that he returned the favour and came to watch the Galaxy on Thursday.

On Friday I went along to my LA Academy and took part in a session with the children that were visiting. I always enjoy going along to the Academies in London and LA, it’s great to see the kids enjoying themselves playing soccer and I can never resist having a kick-around with them.

I also recorded a message for Idol Gives Back for this week’s American Idol television show. Idol Gives Back is a charity set up to improve the lives of kids in the U.S and across the world. Simon Fuller and the Idol team have done a great job with this worthwhile cause and I am honoured to be involved.

Take care,
David

Becks: He's Just Like Us.. He Gets Tickets

Earlier today, David got pulled over by the L.A. Sheriff's Department in Los Angeles. He was reportedly pulled over for a traffic violation after making an illegal left turn on Fairfax and Sunset while trying to escape the paparazzi who were following him. Becks got a $160 fine and 1 point on his driver's license. An eyewitness said: "David was really cooperative. I think he knew that he was in the wrong."

We have talked a lot about the concept of celebrity image in class this semester. Becks seems to have a "good boy" image and is always presented this way by the press. He even appears to be laughing with the cop who pulled him over. It's good for business that he tries to maintain a professional and friendly demeanor in these situations.

She Really
Can Smile!
Showing teeth is nothing special for most people, however, for VB it's extremely rare . In almost every picture, Victoria has a fierce looking pout... part of her Posh image? However, when asked at a recent signing for her book, That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between, why she always looks so unhappy, Victoria spoke about her smiling struggles: "The press are everywhere. I guess I just don't always think to start grinning when I'm leaving the Ivy or shopping for knickers and socks. I really am a pleasant person, especially when I'm with David and the children. My favorite picture in the book is one of me covering my face while I'm laughing. That shot really captured who I am. Although I don't smile do I? I'm supposed to be a miserable bitch right?" After vowing to smile more for her fans, she added "I have to laugh it off. There are tons of pictures taken but paparazzi want to show you in a certain light. You can't take any of it seriously."

Naked for
Skin Cancer
Let's hope we can attribute V's permanent golden color to spray on tanning. The star recently joined with fashion designer Marc Jacobs in an effort to warn people about the dangers of excessive sun exposure. She says: "Since moving to California I have realized how important it is to practice safe sun for myself and to keep my three boys' skin protected as well. Skin cancer is a huge problem and I really wanted to help raise awareness by taking part in Marc's initiative." That initiative includes charity t-shirts that feature a nude Victoria "covered" by the message "PROTECT THE SKIN YOU'RE IN." She joins a list of other celebs and models who are in the buff for the cause- Heidi Klum, Eva Mendes, Travis Barker, Dita von Teese, and Gabriel Aubry. The t-shirts are now on sale for $35 at Marc Jacobs boutiques. All proceeds from the sales go to NYU Medical Center's Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group. Posing nude for something is a bold move on Victoria's part, and certainly she knows this will attract attention to both the cause and to herself. I know that she and Marc Jacobs are good friends, and I'm sure that has something to do with her participation. At the same time, Marc is a very high-profile, popular designer. Do you think Victoria would have also agreed to do this for a lesser-known name?

Becks on the Tonight Show
David appeared on Jay Leno the other night to chat about his family, career and life in America. He blushed when talking to the host (who just so happens to be his neighbor) about his recent Armani underwear campaign. Becks was also asked about meeting his wife after having a longtime crush on her, and talked about their first few dates together. David apologized to Jay for all of the paparazzi that constantly loiter around in their
neighborhood. The soccer star also added that he prefers American paparazzi to photographers in England, saying that the photographers in LA "have been kind to us." You can watch part of his appearance on the show here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm8Cnd-WX2M

The love/hate relationship between celebrities and paparazzi is an interesting one. Some celebs absolutely despise the photogs, while others appreciate the publicity boost. While paparazzi certainly cross the privacy line and can be way too invasive, there is no denying that constant press and pictures can propel a star's career. High profile celebs like the Beckhams know that having their picture in US Weekly on a regular basis is a mark of their status. Without the paparazzi celebrities would have a harder time staying on people's radar and maintaining their position in the public eye. According to Gamson, the paparazzi are part of the subindustrial roles and play an integral part in the mechanics of celebrity. After all, he says that publicity is 60% of the celebrity formula.

Birthday Party and dVb Promotion
Victoria threw a swanky party for her mother's 60th birthday at London's Claridge Hotel on Sunday. Wearing a custom-made embroidered Giambattista Valli dress and fake fur wrap, she hosted the intimate soiree in a private room and treated her guests to Laurent Perrier pink champagne.

On Monday, Posh made an appearance at London's famed department store, Harrod's to do PR for her dVb fashion line. She recently told Harper's Bazaar Magazine that her true passion is designing and that she is anxious to expand her clothing line. "Our fame and fortune has enabled me to do what I want in fashion. Do I wish I could be anonymous? Of course." I think having the Beckham name is in her favor. She has been pretty successful in her fashion endeavors already, and I think much of that is
due to her existing notoriety and clout in Hollywood.

Ice Skating and Charity

Our favorite British bunch were in England this past week to support David as he played (and won) his 100th cap against France. The whole Beckham family went to Paris for a celebratory dinner at the Baccarat restaurant with David's parents, Ted and Sandra Beckham, and Victoria's parents, Tony and Jackie Adams. In addition to spending time with their relatives, Posh and Becks took their middle son, Romeo, ice skating at a new rink that opened near London's Hyde Park. While Victoria and David try to shield all of their children from the paparazzi as much as possible, in the past few years they have been very cautious when it comes to pictures of Romeo. He suffered from frequent epileptic seizures when he was a baby. His parents used to be terrified that the flashbulb photographs would cause violent fits and begged paparazzi to leave the little boy alone. Though his condition has since gotten much better, it's nice to see his parents trying to protect their children from the paparazzi. Their experience has made Victoria and David want to help other families who have epileptic children. They recently became involved with volunteering at the Epilepsy Foundation of America, are helping the organization get donations and hope to host a charity soccer game for children and their parents in the greater Los Angeles area.

Wait.. Who Is That?!

Will the real Posh and Becks please stand up.... You may not know their names, but they probably look extremely familiar. Meet Camilla Shadbolt and Andy Harmer... award-winning, professional Victoria and David Beckham look a-likes (and they're British as well, so they got the accent thing goin' too.) Camilla and Andy spend thousands of dollars each year to follow the current fashion trends and ever-changing hairstyles of D and V. They meticulously study photographs of them in order to perfect their poses and expressions. Camilla definitely has the bee-stung Posh pout down to a science, and with that spiked hair and those sunglasses Andy could fool anyone (he is even an accomplished soccer player and has tattooed his body with exact replications of David's, which include a picture of his wife on his upper arm and the names of his three sons on his wrist.) What's very strange though is that the two share very similar facial features to the real Beckhams.. perhaps they have had plastic surgery to get that way or maybe it is just a huge coincidence, either way, the uncanny resemblance is creepy.

Camilla and Andy are employed by Famous Faces, a talent/booking agency in London that specializes in employing celeb look-a-likes. And these two are cashing in. They have made millions being the 'LA Fakers' as they are commonly known and have faked appearances at awards shows, commercials, birthday parties and weddings. They have been fooling paparazzi, fans and other celebrities for over seven years now, and they used to date, but now they just pretend to be married when they impersonate Posh and Becks.

The real David and Victoria are well aware of their 'stunt doubles' and are a bit more frustrated and freaked out than they are flattered. In fact, they are threatening legal action against the imposters if they do not stop monopolizing on their fame. Camilla and Andy have enjoyed the perks of a free sports car, jewelry and VIP restaurant seating as a result of their professional posing. They even filmed a show for Sky One television in London called The Beckhams Go to Hollywood. David and Victoria's publicist say the fakers are bad for the Beckham brand and could ruin the couple's reputation.

The closest i've ever come to a celebrity look-a-like is in the form of a wax sculpture at one of Madame Tussaud's museums. This is a very strange idea to wrap my head around. These people make a living, devote their lives to "being" someone else. Are they really getting to have their own identities when they pose as the Beckhams 24/7? Is this their way of trying to escape reality and 'fake break' into the celebrity scene? I personally don't understand the appeal of having a job like that because it is defined by fantasy, though I will say it's unbelievable and a bit ridiculous how much they resemble the actual stars. Below is a link to an article that further explores the idea of celebrity impersonators.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/showbiz/article1417260.ece

Star Playdates
Victoria and David joined fellow Brit, actress Kate Beckinsale and her director husband Len Wiseman for a double date at trendy STK restaurant in Los Angeles on Monday. They were accompanied by three security guards and left through the garage level exit to try and make it a paparazzi-free evening. The couples enjoyed a night of dinner, drinks and dessert and even signed several autographs for adoring fans and restaurant staff. Earlier in the day, Vicks was seen shoe shopping on Rodeo Drive with son Romeo (LOVE his Brady jersey!) and Desperate Housewives pal Eva Longoria. Though Posh and Becks pretty much kept to themselves when they first moved to California, they now have a group of high-profile famous friends consisting of: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthey. They seem to be settling into their lives in California, perhaps they will rethink ditching the US for the UK.

Victoria's Blog

Vic recently updated her personal blog, reflecting back on her recent reunion tour with the Spice Girls. Here is an excerpt:

"Hello... Just wanted to quicky blog about the recent tour the girls and I completed. There were many tears of joy and sadness as it came to an end. Look how far we've come! Who would have thought that our reunion could have turned out to be this amazing? It just shows what can grow out of an exciting thought, an idea, a hope, a dream. Yes, our reunion tour is proof that dreams do come true. We have been lucky enough to have shared it with the most loyal fans in the world. Ten years on, you came back still wanting more… and it looks like we made some new friends along the way. You have inspired and ignited us with each show, the 47 that we performed, each time was amazing and it is thanks to you. We apologize for cutting the tour short, but we have family obligations, and children starting school, etc. The Return of the Spice Girls Tour was amazing though, and I appreciate and love all of the fans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

xoxoxo

Victoria"

It seems that many celebrities now have their own blogs, filled with their personal thoughts often found on their official websites. While not only a way to notify fans of upcoming events, it also seems like a way to establish a type of online connection with their loyal followers. Celebrity blogs seem to help bridge the distance between celebrity and admirer. Celebrity blogging is a different form of media because it allows the fan to read the first-hand comments from the celebrity, as opposed to reading a selected piece in a magazine. Blogs allow for the celebrity to share their raw words and thoughts without the worry of them being taken out of context or manipulated by the media. Is it a way for them to create a sort of relationship with their admirers and increase fan loyalty?

Celebrities in Training
A new survey conducted in London by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers found that 53% of elementary school children aspire to be like Posh and Becks rather than their own parents. One student was quoted saying "I want to be like Victoria because she is rich, skinny and very pretty." This study also found that 32% of middle schoolers wish to be like Paris Hilton... (yikes.) ATL general secretary said that she was not the least bit surprised by the impact that celebrity culture has on children. "It reflects the current media obsession with celebrity and the effect of celebrity culture on society as a whole. We are deeply concerned many students believe celebrity status is available to everyone. They do not understand the hard work it takes to achieve such rank and do not think it is important to be actively engaged in school work as education is not needed in order to be a celebrity. Celebrities are the reason for the increase in school drop-outs."

This study raises a bunch of important questions-- do you think kids are more impacted by celebrity culture than adults? What kind of message are kids getting to make them want to be like Paris rather than aspire to be a teacher or a doctor? Do celebrities have a direct effect on kids, such as causing them to drop out of school? At what point does the experience of idolizing go too far?

Victoria's Secret?
She Wants a Baby Girl
VB, who absolutely adores her three sons, has confessed to her husband that she is desperate to add a daughter to their brood. David told OK Magazine in an interview that he too is longing for another child. He also said that he was so touched by his recent UNICEF visit to Sierra Leone that he would love to adopt a baby from Africa. Victoria added "Adoption is something that David and I have talked about quite a bit. We feel we are a very privileged family who are lucky enough to be in the position to share our good fortune. I love being a mum and it is my dream to have a girl of my own."

David Inks New Deal
The soccer star just signed a contract with Sharpie permanent markers to be in its new global marketing campaign. The campaign will include print and online advertising, and in-store promotion. When asked to comment on becoming the new face of the company, Becks told People Magazine: "I have always enjoyed signing autographs for people, especially since I used to love getting my heroes' signatures when I was younger... I love to use Sharpie markers, so it's a natural choice to partner with them."
Update: The first commercial of the series can now be viewed at www.sharpie.com

Goodbye American Dream?

Victoria and David just announced that they are planning to leave the United States and return with their children to London. Though they have only been living in LA for a brief time, the couple predict greater success and popularity back in England. While they have made some new friends in America, Victoria wants to be closer to her best girlfriends, the other four members of the Spice Girls- most of whom still reside in England. She is also hoping that the group will make their way into the studio and record a new album together. Posh and Becks are currently searching for a luxury mansion in central London, though intend to possibly also purchase a smaller Beverly Hills abode for when they want to come back and visit Tinseltown.

Cover Girl
Victoria is featured on the cover of British Vogue Magazine. She was photographed by Nick Knight for a 12-page spread that will highlight her "fashion icon" reputation. Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said: "The pictures demonstrate the Eliza Dolittle quality of Victoria, veering from mannered hauteur to the trashy sexiness of her exposed back laced with tattoos." Shulman, who interviewed V for the article said that the star spoke about joining a gym but refusing to go because "I can bring myself to start. Obviously working out is important- well, I dont. What do you wear on the running machine? I can't bring myself to wear flat shoes." Haha! I wonder if this issue will be well-received as opposed to Victoria's 'Victor/Victoria' cover shoot for Elle Magazine where the star was slammed by critics for looking "like a crazed maniac, trying too hard to be sexy." The issue is on sale now.

What a Player
In her signature sky high stilettos and skinny jeans,
Vix took her three sons, Brooklyn, 8, Romeo 4, and Cruz, 3
to soccer practice at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California
on Monday March 10th. The three little ones were showing off
the soccer skills they inherited from their superstar dad. Nice to see mama spending time with her kids. One thing I've noticed about the Beckhams is that they seem very dedicated to their family, and their kids are rarely seen with nannies. It's nice to see that their children are the main priorities for Posh and Becks.

The Popular Crowd….
Why are they famous and why are people so obsessed?

Stars, celebs, gliteratti.. call it whatever you want, one thing is clear: Hollywood has us hooked. Basically, there are two types of celebrity: those who earn their prestige and rank through talent and charisma, and those who are famous for just being famous, a la Paris Hilton.

So where do the Beckhams fit into this? Both have talent; he is one of the best soccer players out there, and she is a singer/dancer. But is that enough? Is that the essence of their celebrity? Maybe it was way back when they were semi-unknowns trying to grace the scene and strut down that proverbial red carpet, but now it seems that their star status is snowballing. Their fame thrives on fame. They certainly seem to have all of the prerequisites of a celebrity: wealth, fan following, entourage complete with stylists, publicists, and paparazzi. They have an allure, a je ne sais quoi, an it-factor. This blog will track “Britain’s Best” and provide current news and pics, while also exploring the origin and meaning of their celebrity status.

Whenever celebrities are written about, talked about or photographed their goals are being accomplished... they want a buzz/spectacle around them, they want people to know their names. After all, there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right? Some openly confess their celebrity infatuation, while others keep it hidden as a guilty pleasure. Either way, many people find the gossip-filled, scandalous, extravagant lives of celebrities delicious and enticing. Dig in!