International Artist of the Year

    China’s top movie star Fan Bingbing received the International Artist of the Year Award from The Hollywood Reporter (THR) on May 18 at a gala reception in Cannes, France.

    As a global style icon, Fan was stunning in a pink Valentino gown* as she was presented with the publication’s first ever International Artist of the Year Award at a cocktail party in her honor hosted by THR, Jimmy Choo and Mouton Cadet at the Martinez Hotel. The award recognizes a rising global celebrity whose work has the power to affect the entertainment field worldwide.

    ‘Harry Potter’ edition sold

    A unique first edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” annotated* by author J.K. Rowling has sold for a record 150,000 pounds (US$227,421) at a London charity auction, Sotheby’s said on May 21.

    The 1997 book, featuring handwritten notes, 22 original illustrations and a 43-page “second thoughts” commentary by the author, fetched the highest price to date for a printed book by Rowling, Sotheby’s said in a statement.

    Lopez to open phone stores

    Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez on May 22 announced she’s opening a chain of 15 cellphone stores and a website under the Viva Movil brand. The aim is to sell Verizon phones and services to Latinos.

    The first store will open in New York City on June 15, with others following in Los Angeles and Miami. The stores will have bilingual staff and provide a “culturally relevant shopping experience,” Viva Movil said.

    Viva Movil will be an authorized Verizon reseller*, with the same prices and plans as regular Verizon stores.

    One Direction: most popular social media stars

    British boy band One Direction has nearly swept the inaugural awards recognizing the most popular people in social media globally, getting the top spot in four out of 10 categories at a star-studded ceremony in Singapore.

    One Direction was named most popular music group, most popular U.K. musicians, most popular in the United Kingdom, and most popular in west Europe, at the Social Star Awards, but did not show up to collect their prizes, sending their thanks by videolink.(SD-Agencies)