Michaël Youn

Michaël Youn (born December 2, 1973 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine as Michaël Benayoun) is a French actor, singer, comedian, and TV and radio personality.

Biography

After his education as an announcer and theater actor, Youn joined the Paris radio station Skyrock in 1998. There, he made sketches and further entertainment during the morning show.

The popularity and success of Michael Youens,at the most important French private broadcast station brought Youn to the attention of French TV executives. In July 2000 he was hired for the new morning show "Morning Live" shown on Métropole 6. With Vincent Desagnat and Benjamin Morgaine, Youn did the entertainment part of the show. Like their sketches and public events (e.g. foam bath in a Paris fountain, and waking random Parisians up shooting the slogan of the show at them), their parodies were particularly successful. In particular, they parodied the music scene of Jean-Michel Jarre, casting-popstars, the Grand Prix and French rappers.

The success of "Morning Live" was mainly due to Youn and his colleagues – when they left the show, it remained on the air for just one more year.

After leaving "Morning Live" in 2002, Youn, Desagnat and Morgaine have focused on their music parodies: The three sailors “Piotr”, “Olaff” and “Dvorjak” from the Eastern European “Slowakistan”, the Bratisla Boys, appeared on the Western music market with their song "Stach Stach". The act became a big success and was number one on the French charts for ten weeks. On a 2004 list of the all-time best selling CDs in France, "Stach Stach" was listed number 30. The success even spread beyond the French border and reached Switzerland, where it was 2nd on the official charts. On July 7 2002, the project was stopped by its makers. They claimed that the Bratisla Boys had vanished on the Dead Sea without a trace.

In 2002, the film "La Beuze“, written by Youn and Desagnat, was released. Youn played the character of Alphonse, the "unknown son" of James Brown, who tries to start his own career – by creating a new (fictional) style called "Frunkp" (a mixture of Funk and Rap). The song "Le Frunkp" was published as a CD-single and Michaël Youn (under the name of Alphonse Brown) had another hit. This time, he even reached #1 in Swiss charts.

Youn had a comedy-tour, called Pluskapoil in 2003/04 (its sequel followed in 2005) and has acted in films. New music projects followed: Les Conards (The Imbeciles) with Comme des Connards, a cover version of My Sharona by The Knack, as well as a song for the movie Iznogoud (both were in the French Top 20). He had small roles in rather big films, and was part of Les 11 commandements in 2004 (A French film done in the style of MTV’s Jackass, together with Desagnat and Morgaine).

In 2005, Youn was Iznogoud in the film version of the comic „Iznogoud“ (also known as Isnogud). In 2006 he had the main role in the film comedy Incontrôlable. Those two films were not very successful, critics and viewers finding them only so-so. Both films starred Desagnat and Morgaine, but only in small roles.

In 2009, he will be directing his first movie "Fatal Bazooka" in which he will also star.

Fatal BaFzooka

Towards the end of 2006 they picked up a parody from their old Morning-Live times: the hardcore rappers Fatal Bazooka ("Lethal Bazooka"), in which they played two rappers called “Profanation Fonky“ and “La Marmotte Infernale” who wore balaclavas. Using a hardcore style of rap, they rapped Fous ta cagoule ("Put on your balaclava"). It reached #1 on the French charts.

The CD-single is "Fous ta cagoule" of 2006. The song parodies multiple French rappers, in particular slammer Grand Corps Malade and Booba. The video clip was made by Nicolas Benamou.

His first single of 2007, "Mauvaise foi nocturne"' with Pascal Obispo parodied Confessions nocturnes by Diam's and Vitaa (mentioned in "Parle à ma main" as well) also went to #1 in France.

Fatal Bazooka released a full LP titled T'as vu ? in the last week of May 2007 selling over 300,000 copies in France and scored another N1 single (Christmas 2007 number one) with "Parle à ma main" ("Talk to my hand") featuring Yelle released at the end of 2007. This time they attacked another phenomenon of French society : the "lolitas" and their antics.

The album was released through Jam Block entertainment/Warner Music France.

Discography

Singles

"Stach Stach" (as Bratisla Boys)

FR: 1 – 20.04.2002 – 38 Wo.

BE: 3 - 20.04.2002 - 19 Wo.

CH: 2 – 06.06.2002 – 17 Wo.

"Le frunkp" (as Alphonse Brown)

FR: 1 – 11.01.2003 – 25 Wo.

BE: 1 - 08.02.2003 - 22 Wo.

CH: 1 – 16.02.2003 – 24 Wo.

"Comme des Conards" (as Les Conards)

FR: 3 – 18.01.2004 – 24 Wo.

BE: 3 - 07.02.2004 - 19 Wo.

CH: 11 – 15.02.2004 – 18 Wo.

"Iznogoud" (as Iznogoud)

FR: 12 – 30.01.2005 – 15 Wo.

"Fous ta cagoule" (as Fatal Bazooka)

FR: 1 – 18.11.2006 – 26 Wo.

BE: 1 - 25.11.2006 - 37 Wo.

CH: 8 – 26.11.2006 – 26 Wo.

"Mauvaise foi nocturne (La réponse)" (as Fatal Bazooka feat. Vitoo)

FR: 1 – 04.03.2007 – 30 Wo.

BE: 1 - 03.03.2007 - 26 Wo.

CH: 5 – 11.03.2007 – 15 Wo.

"J'aime trop ton boule (Shake ton booty)" (as Fatal Bazooka)

FR: TBA - 13.05.2007

BE: 23 - 16.06.2007 - 10 Wo.

CH: 51 – 17.06.2007 – 6 Wo.

"Trankillement" (as Fatal Bazooka)

FR: TBA - 06.2007

CH: 99 – 29.07.2007 – 1 Wo.

"Parle à ma main" (as Fatal Bazooka feat. Yelle)

FR: 1 – 01.12.2007 – 19 Wo.

BE: 1 - 15.12.2007 - 22 Wo.

CH: 31 – 25.11.2007 – 17 Wo.

Albums

Anthologigi (as Bratisla Boys)

FR: 14 – 20.07.2002 – 14 Wo.

T'as Vu ? (as Fatal Bazooka)

FR: 4 - 02.06.2007 - 48 Wo.

BE: 3 - 02.06.2007 - 21 Wo.

CH: 27 – 10.06.2007 – 14 Wo.

Filmography

La Malédiction de la mamie (2000)

La Beuze (2003, leading role - Alphonse Brown)

Chouchou (2003)

Les Clefs de bagnole (2003)

Le Carton (2004)

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

Les 11 commandements (2004, comedy, leading role)

L'un reste, l'autre part (2005)

Iznogoud (2005, title role)

Incontrôlable (2006, leading role)

Héros (2007)

Lucky Luke (2009)

Television

Caméra café (2001)

Morning Live (2000-2002)

Off Prime (2007)

(source:wikipedia)

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Anne Hudgens[2] (born December 14, 1988) is an American actress and singer. As an actress, she guest starred in television shows like Quintuplets, Still Standing, The Brothers García, Drake & Josh, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Hudgens made her screen debut in the 2003 drama film Thirteen as Noel. She got her first starring role in the 2004 science-fiction-adventure film Thunderbirds as Tintin.
Hudgens garnered prominence with her portrayal of the fictional character Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series. She earned critical acclaim for her role in the 2009 film Bandslam. Hudgens's debut album V was released on September 26, 2006. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number twenty four, and was later certified Gold. Hudgens released her second album, Identified, on July 1, 2008 in the U.S.

Early life and career

Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, and lived all over the West Coast – from Oregon to Southern California – with her parents, Gina (née Guangco), who held a succession of office jobs, and Gregory Hudgens, a firefighter. She was raised Roman Catholic and she has a younger sister, Stella Hudgens, who is also an actress. Hudgens is of mixed cultural background, as her father is of Irish and Native American descent, and her mother, a native of Manila, is of Chinese-Filipino-Spanish descent. All of Hudgens's grandparents were musicians.
Starting at the age of eight, Hudgens performed in musical theater as a singer, and appeared in local productions of Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, The Music Man, and Cinderella, among others. Two years after her career in stage plays and musicals, she started auditioning for commercials and television shows, and her family moved to Los Angeles after she won a role in a television commercial. Her acting career started at the age of 15, and she was not able to finish high school in Orange County High School of the Arts, after being home schooled by tutors.
Career

2003-2008: Career beginnings


Hudgens with Drew Seeley at the High School Musical: The Concert tour.
In 2003, Hudgens played a minor role in the independent drama film Thirteen, where she plays Noel, a friend of a lead character (Tracy, played by Evan Rachel Wood). The film was critically successful, receiving generally favorable reviews, and its receipts surpassed its $4 million budget. Hudgens subsequently landed a role in the 2004 science fiction-adventure film Thunderbirds as Tintin. Unfortunately, the film was commercially and critically unsuccessful, and received heavy criticism through the Internet prior to its release. By late 2005 Hudgens had appeared in television shows such as Quintuplets, Still Standing, The Brothers García, Drake & Josh, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.


Hudgens at the Melbourne premiere of High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which was both critically and commercially successful
In late 2005 she landed her breakout role of shy and meek Gabriella Montez in High School Musical, opposite to Zac Efron. Her performance received numerous nominations and awards. With the success of the film, the BBC predicted that Hudgens would be a "household name" in the US.
Hudgens received a recording contract with Hollywood Records. On September 2006 her debut album entitled V was released. It charted on the Billboard 200 at number twenty-four,and was certified Gold on February 27, 2007.Her first single, "Come Back to Me" became her highest-charting single. Her second single was "Say OK". Billboard readers chose "V" as the seventh best album of the year. Hudgens was named Female Breakout Singer of the year at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards.
Hudgens also participated in the nationwide High School Musical: The Concert tour in fall 2006, performing the songs from the soundtrack album as well as the three songs from her debut album. She sang the duet "Still There For Me" with Corbin Bleu for his debut album. In 2007, Hudgens reprised her role as Gabriella Montez in the sequel of High School Musical, High School Musical 2. Virginia Heffernan of TV Review described Hudgens in her performance in the movie as "matte" as she "glows like a proper ingénue". In December 2007, she sang to George Bush, who was then the president of the U.S., and his family, at The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. with other singers at a Christmas event.
Hudgens reprised her role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Her performance in the film made her win favorite movie actress in the 2009 Kids Choice Awards.Her sophomore album, Identified, which received generally favorable reviews,[29] was released on July 1, 2008, debuting at #23 on the Billboard 200. The album's lead single was "Sneakernight". Hudgens's Identified Summer Tour began on August 1, 2008 and ended in early September 9 of the same year.



2009-present: Critical success

Hudgens at the premiere of Bandslam wherein she played Sa5m and garnered critical acclaim.
Post-High School Musical, Hudgens remarked that she will focus in her acting and films, while "taking a break" from her music career as a solo artist. She played a supporting role in a musical comedy Bandslam, which was released theatrically on August 14, 2009. Hudgens plays "Sa5m", a 15-year-old awkward freshman with untapped talents. Although Bandslam was commercially unsuccessful, Hudgens's performance received praise from critics. David Waddington of the North Wales Pioneer noted that Hudgens "outshines the rest of the cast, failing to fit in with the outcast narrative and making the inevitable climactic ending all the more expected," and Philip French of The Guardian compared her acting to Thandie Newton and Dorothy Parker.
Hudgens performed a musical number with other artists during the 81st Academy Awards. On April 8, 2009, Hudgens's participation in a comedic short video entitled "Zac Efron's Pool Party" for the website Funny Or Die was released for public viewing. Hudgens later provided voice roles in Robot Chicken.
Hudgens' involvement in Beastly, a film based on Alex Flinn's novel of the same name was announced in early 2009. She will be playing one of the main characters in the film as Linda Taylor, described by Hudgens as the "beauty" of the story but not the stereotypical beauty everyone thinks of. Along with Beastly co-star, Alex Pettyfer, Hudgens was recognized as ShoWest stars of Tomorrow. Hudgens was later cast in an action film directed by Zack Snyder, Sucker Punch, playing Blondie, an institutionalized girl in the asylum, which will release in March 2011.
After so many years, Hudgens will return to theater productions wherein she will star in the musical Rent as Mimi. The stage production will run from August 6–8, 2010 at the Hollywood Bowl. Her involvement in the production drew negative comments, but director Neil Patrick Harris defended his decision with casting Hudgens by saying, “Vanessa [Hudgens] is awesome. She’s a friend. I asked her to come in and sing to make sure she had the chops for it. And she was very committed and seemed great.”"



Personal life and public image

Hudgens with Zac Efron at the 81st Academy Awards
Her height is 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m). In an October 2007 interview, Hudgens stated that she is dating her High School Musical series co-star Zac Efron and had been since the filming of High School Musical. The two were paired together during the audition process and got the part because of their chemistry.
In 2006, Hudgens's earnings were estimated to be $2 million.Hudgens was included in Forbes richest list in early 2007, it was posted in Forbes website, that Hudgens was included in Young Hollywood's Top Earning-Stars.On December 12, 2008, Hudgens was ranked #20 in the list of Forbes "High Earners Under 30", having reported to have an estimated earnings of $3 million in 2008.
She was number 62 at FHM's Sexiest Women in the World of 2008 and number 42 in the 2009 list.Hudgens is also featured in Maxim's lists.She was included in People's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" 2008 and 2009 lists.
Hudgens is represented by William Morris Agency. Hudgens also promotes Neutrogena and was the 2008 featured celebrity for Sears' back-to school campaign. She was a spokesperson for Mark Ecko products. But in late 2009, she ended the 2-year contract with Ecko products.
Hudgens regularly volunteers for charitable activities, including those for Best Buddies International,Lollipop Theater Network, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Hudgens is also featured in A Very Special Christmas Vol.7 disc which benefits the Special Olympics.



Controversies

Nude photos
On September 6, 2007, photos of Hudgens appeared online, one showing her posing in lingerie and another showing her nude. A statement from her publicist claims that the photo was taken privately and it was unfortunate that they were released on the Internet. Hudgens later apologized, saying that she was "embarrassed over the situation" and regretted having "taken [those] photos." Hudgens has since released a statement that she doesn't want to talk about the scandal.
OK! magazine speculated that Hudgens would be dropped from High School Musical 3 when naked photos of Hudgens surfaced the Internet in late 2007. The Walt Disney Company denied the reports, saying, "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment. We hope she's learned a valuable lesson."
In August 2009, a new set of pictures showing Hudgens topless emerged on the Internet. Hudgens's representatives have yet to make an official statement. Lawyers have requested the removal of the pictures from the Internet. In late 2009, Hudgens sued "www.moejackson.com" for posting Hudgens's nude 'self-portrait photographs' taken on a mobile phone in a private home.
Hudgens later commented on the photos' impact on her career in the October issue of Allure with, "Whenever anybody asks me, would I do nudity in a film, if I say that it's something I'm not comfortable with, they're like, 'Bullshit, you've already done it.' If anything, it makes it more embarrassing, because that was a private thing. It's screwed up that someone screwed me over like that. At least some people are learning from my mistake."



Lawsuits
Brian Schall sued Hudgens last 2007 for an alleged "breach of contract"; according to the suit, Schall claims he advanced costs and expenses on Hudgens’s behalf for her songwriting and recording career.Schall claims Hudgens owes him $150,000 after helping her earn more than $5 million for her music career. Hudgens argues that she was underage to sign her contract on October 2005 as she was just 16 then.
Hudgens subsequently disaffirmed it on October 9, 2008. Papers filed in court by her lawyer say California's Family Code "provides that the contract of a minor is voidable and may be disaffirmed before (age 18) or within a reasonable time afterward."
In 2008, Hudgens was sued by Johnny Vieira, who claims he is owed a share of Hudgens' advances, royalties and merchandising revenue in exchange for his management services. Vieira accuses Hudgens of abandoning her talent team as soon as she became a commercial name in the High School Musical era.[84] In early May 2009, the case was settled.
Filmography

Theatrical Films
Years Title Role Notes
2003 Thirteen Noel First theatrical film
2004 Thunderbirds Tintin Main character
2008 High School Musical 3: Senior Year Gabriella Montez Third time to reprise her role as Gabriella Montez
2009 Bandslam Sa5m Main character
2010 Beastly Linda Taylor Completed
2011 Sucker Punch Blondie post-production
Films made for television
Year Title Role Channel
2006 High School Musical Gabriella Montez Disney Channel
2007 High School Musical 2



Television guest appearances
Year Title Role Episode(s)
2002 Still Standing Tiffany "Still Rocking" (Season 1, Episode 4)
Robbery Homicide Division Nicole "Had" (Season 1, Episode 10)
2003 The Brothers Garcia Lindsay "New Tunes" (Season 4, Episode 37)
2005 Quintuplets Carmen "The Coconut Kapow" (Season 1, Episode 22)
2006 Drake and Josh Rebecca "Little Sibling" (Season 3, Episode 13)
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody Corrie Season 2, Recurring role
2009 Robot Chicken Lara Lor-Van / Butterbear / Erin Esurance "Especially the Animal Keith Crofford" (Season 4, Episode 19)
Discography

Main article: Vanessa Hudgens discography
Studio albums
2006: V
2008: Identified
Concert tour as a solo artist
2006: The Party's Just Begun Tour (Opening Act)
2008: Identified Summer Tour
Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Link
2006 Imagen Foundation Awards "Best Actress - Television" Nominated
Teen Choice Awards "Choice TV Chemistry" (shared with Zac Efron) Won
2007 "Choice Music: Breakout Artist - Female" Won
Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress Nominated
2008 Teen Choice Awards "Choice Hottie" Won
2009 Kids Choice Awards "Favorite Movie Actress" Won
MTV Movie Awards "Breakthrough Female Performance" Nominated
"Best Kiss" (shared with Zac Efron) Nominated
Teen Choice Awards "Choice Movie Actress: Music/Dance" Nominated
"Choice Movie: Liplock" (shared with Zac Efron) Nominated
"Choice Hottie" Nominated
Source:wikipedia

Leona Lewis

Leona Louise Lewis, (born 3 April 1985) is a British pop and R&B singer–songwriter. Lewis rose to fame in 2006 as the winner of the third series of the British television series The X Factor.
Lewis has become a multi-platinum selling artist and three time Grammy Award nominee. She was proclaimed 'Top New Artist' by Billboard magazine in 2008. Lewis has released two albums to date, Spirit and Echo, in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Spirit became the fastest-selling debut album and the biggest seller of 2007 in both the United Kingdom and Ireland, and made Lewis the first British solo artist to top the Billboard 200 with a debut album. It has sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide.
Lewis's debut single "A Moment Like This" became the fastest selling UK single after being downloaded over 50,000 times within thirty minutes of its release. Her second single, "Bleeding Love", reached number one positions in over thirty singles charts around the world. In November 2008 she set a record in the UK for the fastest selling download-only release with her cover version of the Snow Patrol song "Run" which sold 69,244 copies in two days. In November 2009, the first set of dates for her 2010 debut world tour were announced.


Early life

Lewis was born in the London Borough of Islington, to Aural Josiah "Joe" Lewis of Afro-Guyanese descent and Maria Lewis of Welsh descent. Her parents enrolled her at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, and from there she attended the Italia Conti Academy and the BRIT School, where she learned to play instruments such as the guitar and piano, and began to write her own songs in the hope of becoming a singer-songwriter,writing her first full-length song at the age of 12. She initially trained in opera, but went on to singing jazz and blues, eventually leading to popular music, citing Minnie Riperton, Eva Cassidy and Stevie Wonder as her main influences. After leaving the BRIT School at 17,she took a number of jobs to fund studio time, recording a demo album called Twilight. The album, comprised almost exclusively of her own compositions, was recorded under Spiral Music, a production company based in Fulham. "I tried to secure a record deal by doing things my own way. I worked very hard but I never managed to land a contract", said Lewis. Other demos were recorded under licence from UEG Entertainment, later included on an album called Best Kept Secret. However, none of Lewis's demos were released and she considered taking a hiatus from her music career to attend university until her boyfriend persuaded her to enter The X Factor which subsequently severed her connections with UEG.




Music career

2006: The X Factor
The X Factor (UK series 3)


Lewis at the London premiere for Flushed Away, November 2006.
Lewis auditioned for the third series of The X Factor in 2006, singing "Over the Rainbow". She was mentored by Simon Cowell and was announced the winner on 16 December 2006, winning a £1 million recording contract.
Her debut single, a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This", was released on CD on 20 December 2006, and was available as a digital download from midnight on 17 December. It broke a world record after it was downloaded 50,000 times in thirty minutes. On 24 December, "A Moment Like This" was crowned the 2006 UK Christmas number-one single, having sold 571,253 copies, outselling the rest of the Top 40's sales combined.The single became the most downloaded song in 2006; it stayed at number one for four weeks and stayed at the top spot in the Irish Singles Chart for six weeks.



2007–2009: Spirit and international breakthrough
Spirit (Leona Lewis album)
Wikinews has related news: British pop star Leona Lewis breaks US Billboard records
In February 2007, Lewis signed a £5 million ($9.7 million) five-album contract in the United States with Clive Davis's record label, J Records, and showcased for several American music executives. A press release was sent out revealing that Cowell and Davis would work together in a first-of-its-kind partnership on both the song and producer selection for Lewis's debut album, entitled Spirit.Lewis recorded tracks for the album in London, Miami, Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta, where she worked with several songwriters and record producers including Dallas Austin, Walter Afanasieff, Salaam Remi, Steve Mac, Stargateand Ne-Yo. It was released in November 2007 and entered both the Irish Albums Chart and the UK Albums Chart at number one, becoming the fastest-selling debut album in both countries, and the United Kingdom's fourth fastest selling album of all time. It was released in several other nations in January 2008, and went to number one in New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Germany, South Africa and Switzerland.Two further tracks were recorded in 2008 for the US release of the album: "Forgive Me", produced by Akon, and "Misses Glass", produced by Madd Scientist. It was released in the United States in April 2008 and entered the Billboard 200 at number one, making Lewis the first British artist to reach number one with a debut album. A special edition of Spirit was re-released in November 2008 in Europe, including the songs "Forgive Me", "Misses Glass" and a cover of the Snow Patrol song "Run". The album again went to number one in the UK Albums Chart. To date the album has sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide and has a 9× platinum certification in the UK.
Lewis's second single, "Bleeding Love", produced by Ryan Tedder and written by Tedder and Jesse McCartney, was released in October 2007 in the UK, where it sold 218,805 copies in its first week, giving it the biggest first-week sales of 2007 to date. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, where it stayed for seven weeks, and in the Irish Singles Chart it remained at number one for eight weeks. It reached number one in the singles charts of New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria, Canada and the United States. "Bleeding Love" won The Record of the Year in December 2007. In February 2008, "Bleeding Love" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 85 and then went on to peak at number one for four non-consecutive weeks. The song became the first track by a UK female to reach number one since Kim Wilde's "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1987. Lewis's third single, a double A-side featuring "Better in Time" and "Footprints in the Sand", was released in the United Kingdom in March 2008, in aid of Sport Relief, and she visited South Africa for the charity. The single reached a peak of number two in the UK singles chart selling over 40,000 copies in its first week of physical release. "Better in Time" was released as Lewis's second single in the US, where it peaked at number 11 in the Billboard Hot 100. "Forgive Me" was released as Lewis's fifth single in November 2008; it reached number five in the UK. "Run" was released as a download-only single in the UK, reaching number one, and becoming the UK's fastest-selling download-only single with 69,244 copies sold in two days. Lewis's last single from Spirit, "I Will Be", was released in January 2009, only in North America; it peaked at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In August 2008, she performed "Whole Lotta Love" with guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin at the 2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in Beijing, representing the handover to London as the host of the 2012 Summer Olympics. In September 2008, she joined several female singers to perform a single for the anti-cancer campaign Stand Up to Cancer. The single, titled "Just Stand Up!", was performed live during the one-hour telethon that aired on all major US television networks. Lewis received three nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards in December 2008. "Bleeding Love" was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Spirit was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album. She was nominated for four BRIT Awards, in the categories British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Album for Spirit, and British Single for "Bleeding Love", but despite being the favourite to win the most awards, she received none. She won two awards at the 2008 MOBO Awards: Best Album for Spirit and Best Video for "Bleeding Love". In December 2008 Lewis was named 'Top New Artist' by Billboard magazine.





2009–present: Echo and world tour
Echo (Leona Lewis album) and The Labyrinth (tour)

Leona Lewis performing in 2009.
Lewis's second album, Echo, was given a worldwide release in November 2009. Production took place throughout 2009, including work with Ryan Tedder, Justin Timberlake,[52] Max Martin, Arnthor Birgisson, Kevin Rudolf, and John Shanks.It was recorded in Los Angeles and took nine months to produce. Lewis described the album as "more guitar-driven" compared to Spirit.One of the albums's songs, "My Hands", appears as the theme song to Final Fantasy XIII's North American and European release. Lewis performed her first full UK show at the Hackney Empire in London on 2 November 2009, performing songs from Spirit and Echo. Echo reached number one in the UK Albums Chart and the top ten of Austria, Ireland and Switzerland.
Despite previous attempts from Lewis's lawyers to ban the release of Best Kept Secret by UEG Music, claiming that the singer had not given her consent, the album was released in January 2009 when the label insisted it owned the rights to the music and Lewis would receive a 50% share of the album's profits. However, a television advert for the album was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority, who said in a statement: "We considered that the claim 'Leona Lewis's new album' misleadingly implied it was the singer's latest recording rather than a new CD of tracks recorded some years ago." The album was released to iTunes in standard and deluxe editions, and two EPs, "Private Party" and "Dip Down"/"Joy", were released in September 2009.
The first single released from Echo was "Happy", which was written by Lewis, Tedder and Evan Bogart and produced by Tedder  The single was released on 15 September 2009, peaking at number two in the UK, and reaching the top ten in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Japan and Switzerland.Lewis also recorded the theme song for the 2009 science fiction film Avatar, directed by James Cameron. The song, "I See You (Theme from Avatar)", was written by James Horner and Simon Franglen. It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 67th Golden Globe Awards. In January 2010, Lewis provided vocals on a cover of "Everybody Hurts", released to help raise money for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The second single from Echo, "I Got You", was released in February 2010. In April 2010, she featured on a duet with Italian singer Biagio Antonacci, called "Inaspettata (Unexpected)", from his album Inaspettata.
Lewis plans to start her first world tour, titled The Labyrinth supporting Spirit and Echo in May 2010, which is reported to be lasting 14 months. It is said that Lewis has hired choreographer Travis Payne for the tour, which is reported to have a Labyrinth theme. Her label have apparently said that money is no object. Lewis will tour North America from July to August 2010 supporting Christina Aguilera on her Bionic Tour. In an interview named "Under the skin of Leona Lewis" with 4music, Lewis stated that she will be working on her third album after the tour.
Other activities

In October 2008, The Times reported that Lewis had turned down a $1 million deal with Mohamed Al Fayed to open a Harrods sale. Lewis commented in the press that she turned down the deal on the grounds that Harrods is the only UK department store which continues to stock clothing made from animal fur. She told The Big Issue, "I got a lot of flak for that. There were people who said I should have done it and given the money to charity, but that would have been such a contradiction." She announced in October 2008 that she was in the "bargaining period" of launching her own ethical line of accessories through Topshop,] and that she is in the late stages of releasing her own perfume for Europe.
Lewis signed a book deal in January 2009 to release an illustrated autobiography in October 2009. The book, entitled Dreams, contains mostly pictures taken by photographer Dean Freeman.
In 2010 she joined Cotton's Fabric of Our Lives campaign, recording a song and appearing in a television advert.




Personal life

Lewis lives in Hackney with her boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa, an electrician, whom she has known since she was approximately ten years old. She has a tattoo of Hebrew letters on her left wrist, symbolising her relationship with Al-Chamaa. A vegetarian since she was 12, Lewis won PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian along with Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis in 2008, and again in 2009 with actor Scott Maslen. She also was named PETA's Person Of The Year for 2008. Lewis is a supporter of the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
Wikinews has related news:
Leona Lewis assaulted at book signing in London, England
Man charged with assaulting British singer Leona Lewis
At a book signing for Dreams on 14 October 2009 at the Piccadilly branch of Waterstone's book store in central London, Lewis received a punch to the head from Peter Kowalczyk, a 29-year-old man from south London. Eyewitnesses say Lewis ran out with her hand covering her face, whilst security wrestled the attacker, who was reportedly laughing, to the floor. The police were called immediately to the scene and Kowalczyk was arrested. Lewis suffered bruising and was taken to a private doctor as a precaution. She cancelled a scheduled appearance on the BBC's The One Show and a two-day promotional trip to Germany. She later released a statement, saying "Thank you so much for your support, it is truly overwhelming. Yesterday was a horrible shock and left me extremely hurt and upset. I'm very sorry to those I wasn't able to meet at the signing. Thank you again for all of the lovely messages. Love you all."Kowalczyk was subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act. He was charged with common assault, for which he was due to appear before City of Westminster magistrates on 26 October 2009. The case was adjourned as Kowalczyk was "not fit to attend court". It was reported that he had a history of mental health problems and may have attacked Lewis due to jealousy, as he had attempted to enter The X Factor but was rejected by producers.[96] On 14 December 2009, Kowalczyk admitted common assault and was ordered to remain in hospital for an indeterminate period.
Discography

Leona Lewis discography
Studio albums
Spirit (2007)
Echo (2009)
Tours

2010: The Labyrinth
Source:wikipedia

Preakness Stakes

Preakness Stakes,

The Preakness Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race 1-3/16 mile (1.91 km) thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses, held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57 kg); fillies 121 lb (55 kg). The Preakness Stakes has been termed "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" because a blanket of Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta, the state flower of Maryland) is traditionally placed around the winner's neck. The attendance at the Preakness Stakes ranks second in North America and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes races including the Belmont Stakes, the Breeders' Cup and the Kentucky Oaks. The attendance of the Preakness Stakes typically only trails the Kentucky Derby, for more information see American Thoroughbred Racing top Attended Events.

History

Two years before the Kentucky Derby was run for the first time, Pimlico introduced its new stakes race for three-year-olds, the Preakness, during its first-ever spring race meet in 1873. Former Maryland Governor Oden Bowie named the then mile and one-half (2.41 km) race in honor of the colt Preakness from Milton Holbrook Sanford's Preakness Stables in Preakness, Wayne Township, New Jersey, who won the Dinner Party Stakes on the day Pimlico opened (October 25, 1870). The New Jersey name was said to have come from the Native American name Pra-qua-les ("Quail Woods") for the area.

The first Preakness, held on May 27, 1873, drew seven starters. John Chamberlain's three-year-old, My Sheba, collected the $2,050 winning purse by galloping home easily by 10 lengths. This was the largest margin of victory until 2004, when Smarty Jones won by 11 lengths.

In 1889, George "Spider" Anderson became the first African-American jockey to win the Preakness. In 1890 Morris Park Racecourse in the Bronx, New York hosted the Preakness Stakes after which there was no race run for three years. For the 15 years from 1894 through 1908, the race was held at Gravesend Race Track on Coney Island, New York. In 1909 it returned to Pimlico.

In March 2009 Magna Entertainment Corp., which owns Pimlico, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy thus throwing open the possibility the Stakes could move again. On April 13, 2009, the Maryland Legislature approved a plan to buy the Stakes and the Pimlico course if Magna Entertainment cannot find a buyer.

[edit]Evolution of the Triple Crown series

The Preakness is the second leg in American thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown series and almost always attracts the Kentucky Derby winner, some of the other horses that ran in the Derby, and often a few horses that did not start in the Derby. The Preakness is 1 3/16 miles, or 9 1/2 furlongs, compared to the Kentucky Derby, which is 1 1/4 miles. It is followed by the third leg, the Belmont Stakes, which is 1 1/2 miles.

Since 1931, the order of Triple Crown races has the Kentucky Derby first, followed by the Preakness Stakes and then the Belmont Stakes. Prior to 1931, the Preakness was run before the Derby eleven times. On May 12, 1917 and again on May 13, 1922, the Preakness and the Derby were run on the same day.

Running the race

Just after the horses for the Preakness are called to the post, the audience is invited to sing "Maryland, My Maryland," the official state song of Maryland. Traditionally, the United States Naval Academy Glee Club assembles in the Pimlico infield to lead the song.

Sir Barton, winner in 1919

As soon as the Preakness winner has been declared official, a painter climbs a ladder to the top of a replica of the Old Clubhouse cupola. The colors of the victorious owner's silks are applied on the jockey and horse that are part of the weather vane atop the infield structure. The practice began in 1909 when a horse and rider weather vane sat atop the old Members' Clubhouse, which was constructed when Pimlico opened in 1870. The Victorian building was destroyed by fire in June 1966. A replica of the old building's cupola was built to stand in the Preakness winner's circle in the infield.

A blanket of yellow flowers daubed with black lacquer to recreate the appearance of a black-eyed Susan (see below) is placed around the winning horse's neck at this time, and a replica of the Woodlawn Vase is given to the winning horse's owner. Should that horse have also won the Kentucky Derby, speculation and excitement immediately begin to mount as to whether that horse will go on to win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing at the Belmont Stakes in June.

Winning the race

In 1917, the first Woodlawn Vase was awarded to the Preakness winner, who was not allowed to keep it. Eventually a half-size reproduction of the trophy was given to winners to keep permanently. The original trophy is kept at the Maryland Historical Society and brought to the Preakness race each year for the winner's presentation ceremony.

In 1940, it was proposed to drape the winning horse in a garland of black-eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland. This posed a problem, as the race is run nearly two months before the flowers come into bloom in late June or July. At first, yellow daisies were painted to resemble black-eyed Susans; workers switched to chrysanthemums later. Although the Preakness is sometimes referred to as "the race for the black-eyed Susans", no black-eyed Susan is ever used.

In 1918, 26 horses entered the race, and it was run in two divisions, providing for two winners that year. Currently, the race is limited to 14 horses.

In 1948, the Preakness was televised for the first time by CBS.

The Preakness has been run at seven different distances:

1-1/2 miles (2.41 km) : 1873-1888, 1890

1-1/4 miles (2.01 km) : 1889

1-1/16 miles (1.71 km) : 1894-1900, 1908

1 mile 70 yards (1.67 km) : 1901-1907

1 mile (1.61 km) : 1909, 1910

1-1/8 miles (1.81 km) : 1911-1924

1-3/16 miles (1.91 km) : 1925-present

Records

Speed record:

Set by Tank's Prospect in 1985 and equaled by Louis Quatorze in 1996 and Curlin in 2007, the time record for the current 1-3/16 miles (1.91 km) Preakness is 1:53 2/5 seconds. (Secretariat, the 1973 winner, was also credited with running 1:53 2/5 by the Daily Racing Form. However, the timer malfunctioned during that race, and Pimlico Race Course does not recognize that time, instead assigning Secretariat a time of 1:54 2/5.) The record victory margin is 11½ lengths, by Smarty Jones in 2004.

Most wins by a jockey:

6 - Eddie Arcaro (1941, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1957)

5 - Pat Day (1985, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996)

3 - George Barbee (1873, 1876, 1883)

3 - Bill Hartack (1956, 1964, 1969)

3 - Lloyd Hughes (1875, 1879, 1880)

Most wins by a trainer:

7 - R. Wyndham Walden (1875, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1888)

5 - Thomas J. Healey (1901, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1929)

5 - D. Wayne Lukas (1980, 1985, 1994, 1995, 1999)

4 - Jim Fitzsimmons (1930, 1935, 1955, 1957)

4 - Jimmy Jones (1947, 1948, 1956, 1958)

4 - Bob Baffert (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002)

3 - John Whalen (1907, 1911, 1913)

Most wins by an owner:

7 - Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1956, 1958, 1968) (also the leading breeder with 7)

5 - George L. Lorillard (1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882)

4 - Harry P. Whitney (1908, 1921, 1927, 1928)

Fillies in the Preakness

Five fillies have won the Preakness in 134 races:

1903 - Flocarline

1906 - Whimsical

1915 - Rhine Maiden

1924 - Nellie Morse

2009 - Rachel Alexandra, who was also the only horse, male or female, to ever win from the farthest outside position: 13th post.

(Three fillies have won the Kentucky Derby in 134 races, and three fillies have won the Belmont stakes in 139 races. On average, fillies have won between 2% and 3% of the Triple Crown races, with similar numbers for geldings; while about 95% of these high-stakes races have been won by uncastrated male horses, colts or stallions.)

Winners of the Preakness Stakes

Year

Winner

Age

Jockey

Trainer

Owner

Distance

(Miles)

Time

Purse

Grade

2010 Lookin At Lucky 3 Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 1-3/16 1:55.47 $1,100,000 I

2009 Rachel Alexandra ‡ 3 Calvin Borel Steve Asmussen Stonestreet/H. T. McCormick 1-3/16 1:55.08 $1,100,000 I

2008 Big Brown 3 Kent Desormeaux Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. IEAH Stables & P. Pompa, Jr. 1-3/16 1:54.86 $1,000,000 I

2007 Curlin 3 Robby Albarado Steve Asmussen Stonestreet Stables et al. 1-3/16 1:53.46 $1,000,000 I

2006 Bernardini 3 Javier Castellano Tom Albertrani Darley Stables 1-3/16 1:54.65 $1,000,000 I

2005 Afleet Alex 3 Jeremy Rose Timothy F. Ritchey Cash is King Stable 1-3/16 1:55.04 $1,000,000 I

2004 Smarty Jones 3 Stewart Elliott John Servis Someday Farm 1-3/16 1:55.59 $1,000,000 I

2003 Funny Cide 3 Jose Santos Barclay Tagg Sackatoga Stable 1-3/16 1:55.61 $1,000,000 I

2002 War Emblem 3 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert The Thoroughbred Corp. 1-3/16 1:56.40 $1,000,000 I

2001 Point Given 3 Gary Stevens Bob Baffert The Thoroughbred Corp. 1-3/16 1:55.40 $1,000,000 I

2000 Red Bullet 3 Jerry Bailey Joe Orseno Stronach Stables 1-3/16 1:56.00 $1,000,000 I

1999 Charismatic 3 Chris Antley D. Wayne Lukas Bob & Beverly Lewis 1-3/16 1:55.20 $1,000,000 I

1998 Real Quiet 3 Kent Desormeaux Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 1-3/16 1:54.80 $1,000,000 I

1997 Silver Charm 3 Gary Stevens Bob Baffert Bob & Beverly Lewis 1-3/16 1:54.40 $1,000,000 I

1996 Louis Quatorze 3 Pat Day Nick Zito Condren/Cornacchia/Hoffman 1-3/16 1:53.40 $800,000 I

1995 Timber Country 3 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas† Overbrook/Gainesway/Lewis 1-3/16 1:54.40 $750,000 I

1994 Tabasco Cat 3 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas D. P. Reynolds & Overbrook 1-3/16 1:56.40 $750,000 I

1993 Prairie Bayou 3 Mike E. Smith Tom Bohannan Loblolly Stable 1-3/16 1:56.60 $750,000 I

1992 Pine Bluff 3 Chris McCarron Tom Bohannan Loblolly Stable 1-3/16 1:55.60 $750,000 I

1991 Hansel 3 Jerry Bailey Frank L. Brothers Lazy Lane Farms 1-3/16 1:54.00 $750,000 I

1990 Summer Squall 3 Pat Day Neil J. Howard Dogwood Stable 1-3/16 1:53.60 $750,000 I

1989 Sunday Silence 3 Pat Valenzuela Charlie Whittingham H-G-W Partners 1-3/16 1:53.80 $750,000 I

1988 Risen Star 3 Ed Delahoussaye Louie Roussel III Roussel & R. Lamarque 1-3/16 1:56.20 $700,000 I

1987 Alysheba 3 Chris McCarron Jack Van Berg D. & P. Scharbauer 1-3/16 1:55.80 $700,000 I

1986 Snow Chief 3 Alex Solis Melvin F. Stute Grinstead & Rochelle 1-3/16 1:54.80 $700,000 I

1985 Tank's Prospect 3 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 1-3/16 1:53.40 $700,000 I

1984 Gate Dancer 3 Angel Cordero, Jr. Jack Van Berg Kenneth Opstein 1-3/16 1:53.60 $400,000 I

1983 Deputed Testamony 3 Donald Miller, Jr. J. William Boniface Bonita Farm 1-3/16 1:55.40 $400,000 I

1982 Aloma's Ruler 3 Jack Kaenel John J. Lenzini, Jr. Nathan Scherr 1-3/16 1:55.40 $350,000 I

1981 Pleasant Colony 3 Jorge Velasquez John P. Campo Buckland Farm 1-3/16 1:54.60 $350,000 I

1980 Codex 3 Angel Cordero, Jr. D. Wayne Lukas Tartan Stable 1-3/16 1:54.20 $300,000 I

1979 Spectacular Bid 3 Ronnie Franklin Bud Delp Hawksworth Farm 1-3/16 1:54.20 $300,000 I

1978 Affirmed † 3 Steve Cauthen Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm 1-3/16 1:54.40 $250,000 I

1977 Seattle Slew † 3 Jean Cruguet William H. Turner, Jr. Karen L. Taylor 1-3/16 1:54.40 $250,000 I

1976 Elocutionist 3 John Lively Paul T. Adwell Eugene C. Cashman 1-3/16 1:55.00 $250,000 I

1975 Master Derby 3 Darrel McHargue Smiley Adams Golden Chance Farm 1-3/16 1:56.40 $250,000 I

1974 Little Current 3 Miguel A. Rivera Lou Rondinello Darby Dan Farm 1-3/16 1:54.60 $250,000 I

1973 Secretariat † 3 Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stable 1-3/16 1:54.40 $250,000 I

1972 Bee Bee Bee 3 Eldon Nelson Del W. Carroll William S. Farish III 1-3/16 1:55.60 $250,000

1971 Canonero II 3 Gustavo Avila Juan Arias Edgar Caibett 1-3/16 1:54.00 $250,000

1970 Personality 3 Eddie Belmonte John W. Jacobs Ethel D. Jacobs 1-3/16 1:56.20 $250,000

1969 Majestic Prince 3 Bill Hartack Johnny Longden Frank M. McMahon 1-3/16 1:55.60 $250,000

1968 Forward Pass 3 Ismael Valenzuela Henry Forrest Calumet Farm 1-3/16 1:56.80 $250,000

1967 Damascus 3 Bill Shoemaker Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr. Edith W. Bancroft 1-3/16 1:55.20 $250,000

1966 Kauai King 3 Don Brumfield Henry Forrest Ford Stable 1-3/16 1:55.40 $250,000

1965 Tom Rolfe 3 Ron Turcotte Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr. Powhatan Stable 1-3/16 1:56.20 $250,000

1964 Northern Dancer 3 Bill Hartack Horatio Luro Windfields Farm 1-3/16 1:56.80 $250,000

1963 Candy Spots 3 Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth 1-3/16 1:56.20 $250,000

1962 Greek Money 3 John L. Rotz Virgil W. Raines Brandywine Stable 1-3/16 1:56.20 $250,000

1961 Carry Back 3 Johnny Sellers Jack A. Price Katherine Price 1-3/16 1:57.60 $250,000

1960 Bally Ache 3 Bobby Ussery Jimmy Pitt Turfland 1-3/16 1:57.60 $250,000

1959 Royal Orbit 3 William Harmatz Reggie Cornell Halina Gregory Braunstein 1-3/16 1:57.00 $250,000

1958 Tim Tam 3 Ismael Valenzuela Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1-3/16 1:57.20 $165,000

1957 Bold Ruler 3 Eddie Arcaro Jim Fitzsimmons Wheatley Stable 1-3/16 1:56.20 $110,000

1956 Fabius 3 Bill Hartack Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1-3/16 1:58.40 $150,000

1955 Nashua 3 Eddie Arcaro Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1-3/16 1:54.60 $110,000

1954 Hasty Road 3 John H. Adams Harry Trotsek Hasty House Farm 1-3/16 1:57.40 $150,000

1953 Native Dancer 3 Eric Guerin Bill Winfrey Alfred G. Vanderbilt II 1-3/16 1:57.80 $110,000

1952 Blue Man 3 Conn McCreary Woody Stephens White Oak Stable 1-3/16 1:57.40 $150,000

1951 Bold 3 Eddie Arcaro Preston M. Burch Brookmeade Stable 1-3/16 1:56.40 $150,000

1950 Hill Prince 3 Eddie Arcaro Casey Hayes Christopher Chenery 1-3/16 1:59.20 $100,000

1949 Capot 3 Ted Atkinson John M. Gaver, Sr. Greentree Stable 1-3/16 1:56.00 $150,000

1948 Citation † 3 Eddie Arcaro Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1-3/16 2:02.40 $160,000

1947 Faultless 3 Douglas Dodson Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1-3/16 1:59.00 $160,000

1946 Assault † 3 Warren Mehrtens Max Hirsch King Ranch 1-3/16 2:01.40 $160,000

1945 Polynesian 3 Wayne D. Wright Morris H. Dixon Gertrude T. Widener 1-3/16 1:58.80 $110,000

1944 Pensive 3 Conn McCreary Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1-3/16 1:59.20 $100,000

1943 Count Fleet † 3 Johnny Longden Don Cameron Fannie Hertz 1-3/16 1:57.40 $75,000

1942 Alsab 3 Basil James Sarge Swenke Mrs. Albert Sabath 1-3/16 1:57.00 $100,000

1941 Whirlaway † 3 Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1-3/16 1:58.80 $75,000

1940 Bimelech 3 Fred A. Smith William J. Hurley Edward R. Bradley 1-3/16 1:58.60 $75,000

1939 Challedon 3 George Seabo Louis J. Schaefer William L. Brann 1-3/16 1:59.80 $75,000

1938 Dauber 3 Maurice Peters Richard E. Handlen Foxcatcher Farms 1-3/16 1:59.80 $75,000

1937 War Admiral † 3 Charley Kurtsinger George Conway Glen Riddle Farm 1-3/16 1:58.40 $75,000

1936 Bold Venture 3 George Woolf Max Hirsch Morton L. Schwartz 1-3/16 1:59.00 $50,000

1935 Omaha † 3 Willie Saunders Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1-3/16 1:58.40 $50,000

1934 High Quest 3 Robert Jones Robert A. Smith Brookmeade Stable 1-3/16 1:58.20 $50,000

1933 Head Play 3 Charley Kurtsinger Thomas P. Hayes Mrs. Silas B. Mason 1-3/16 2:02.00 $50,000

1932 Burgoo King 3 Eugene James H. J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 1-3/16 1:59.80 $90,000

1931 Mate 3 George Ellis James W. Healy Albert C. Bostwick, Jr. 1-3/16 1:59.00 $90,000

1930 Gallant Fox † 3 Earl Sande Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1-3/16 2:00.60 $90,000

1929 Dr. Freeland 3 Louis Schaefer Thomas J. Healey Walter J. Salmon, Sr. 1-3/16 2:01.60 $90,000

1928 Victorian 3 Raymond Workman James G. Rowe, Jr. Harry P. Whitney 1-3/16 2:00.20 $90,000

1927 Bostonian 3 Whitey Abel Fred Hopkins Harry P. Whitney 1-3/16 2:01.60 $100,000

1926 Display 3 John Maiben Thomas J. Healey Walter J. Salmon, Sr. 1-3/16 1:59.80 $90,000

1925 Coventry 3 Clarence Kummer William B. Duke Gifford A. Cochran 1-3/16 1:59.00 $90,000

1924 Nellie Morse ‡ 3 John Merimee Albert B. Gordon Bud Fisher 1-1/8 1:57.20 $90,000

1923 Vigil 3 Benny Marinelli Thomas J. Healey Walter J. Salmon, Sr. 1-1/8 1:53.60 $90,000

1922 Pillory 3 Louis Morris Thomas J. Healey Richard T. Wilson, Jr. 1-1/8 1:51.60 $90,000

1921 Broomspun 3 Frank Coltiletti James G. Rowe, Sr. Harry P. Whitney 1-1/8 1:54.20 $75,000

1920 Man o' War 3 Clarence Kummer Louis Feustel Glen Riddle Farm 1-1/8 1:51.60 $40,000

1919 Sir Barton † 3 Johnny Loftus H. Guy Bedwell J. K. L. Ross 1-1/8 1:53.00 $40,000

1918 War Cloud 3 Johnny Loftus Walter B. Jennings A. Kingsley Macomber 1-1/8 1:53.60 $20,000

1918 Jack Hare, Jr. 3 Charles Peake Frank D. Weir W. E. Applegate 1-1/8 1:53.40 $20,000

1917 Kalitan 3 Everett Haynes Bill Hurley Edward R. Bradley 1-1/8 1:54.40 $7,500

1916 Damrosch 3 Linus McAtee Albert G. Weston J. K. L. Ross 1-1/8 1:54.80 $2,000

1915 Rhine Maiden ‡ 3 Douglas Hoffman Frank Devers Edward F. Whitney 1-1/8 1:58.00 $2,000

1914 Holiday 3 Andy Schuttinger J. Simon Healy Mrs. A. Barklie 1-1/8 1:53.80 $2,000

1913 Buskin 3 James Butwell John Whalen John Whalen 1-1/8 1:53.40 $3,000

1912 Colonel Holloway 3 Clarence Turner Dave Woodford Beverwyck Stable 1-1/8 1:56.60 $2,500

1911 Watervale 3 Eddie Dugan John Whalen August Belmont, Jr. 1-1/8 1:51.00 $4,500

1910 Layminster 3 Roy Estep J. Simon Healy Edward B. Cassatt 1 mile 1:40.60 $5,500

1909 Effendi 3 Willie Doyle Frank C. Frisbie W. T. Ryan 1 mile 1:39.80 $5,500

1908 Royal Tourist 3 Eddie Dugan A. Jack Joyner Harry P. Whitney 1-1/16 1:46.40 $4,000

1907 Don Enrique 3 George Mountain John Whalen August Belmont, Jr. 1-1/16 1:45.40 $3,800

1906 Whimsical ‡ 3 Walter Miller Tim J. Gaynor Tim J. Gaynor 1-1/16 1:45.00 $3,800

1905 Cairngorm 3 Willie Davis A. Jack Joyner Sydney Paget 1-1/16 1:45.80 $3,600

1904 Bryn Mawr 3 Gene Hildebrand W. Fred Presgrave Goughacres Stable 1-1/16 1:44.20 $3,800

1903 Flocarline ‡ 3 William Gannon H. C. Riddle M. H. Tichenor 1-1/16 1:44.80 $3,000

1902 Old England 3 L. Jackson Green B. Morris Green B. Morris 1-1/16 1:45.80 $3,750

1901 The Parader 3 F. Landry Thomas J. Healey Richard T. Wilson, Jr. 1-1/16 1:47.20 $2,650

1900 Hindus 3 Henry Spencer John H. Morris George J. Long 1-1/16 1:48.40 $3,000

1899 Half Time 3 Richard Clawson Frank McCabe Philip J. Dwyer 1-1/16 1:47.00 $2,500

1898 Sly Fox 3 Willie Simms Hardy Campbell, Jr. Charles F. Dwyer 1-1/16 1:49.75 $2,400

1897 Paul Kauvar 3 T. Thorpe Thomas P. Hayes Thomas P. Hayes 1-1/16 1:51.25 $2,400

1896 Margrave 3 Henry Griffin Byron McClelland August Belmont, Jr. 1-1/16 1:51.00 $2,250

1895 Belmar 3 Fred Taral Edward Feakes Preakness Stables 1-1/16 1:50.50 $2,250

1894 Assignee 3 Fred Taral William Lakeland James & Foxhall Keene 1-1/16 1:49.25 $3,000

1893 No Race - No Race No Race No Race no race 0:00.00 no race

1892 No Race - No Race No Race No Race no race 0:00.00 no race

1891 No Race - No Race No Race No Race no race 0:00.00 no race

1890 Montague 3 Willie Martin Edward Feakes Preakness Stables 1-1/2 2:36.75 $2,000

1889 Buddhist 3 George Anderson John W. Rogers Sam S. Brown 1-1/4 2:17.50 $2,000

1888 Refund 3 Fred Littlefield R. Wyndham Walden R. Wyndham Walden 1-1/2 2:49.00 $2,000

1887 Dunboyne 3 William Donohue William Jennings William Jennings 1-1/2 2:39.50 $2,500

1886 The Bard 3 S. Fisher John Huggins A. J. Cassatt 1-1/2 2:45.00 $3,000

1885 Tecumseh 3 Jim McLaughlin Charles S. Littlefield, Sr. W. Donohue 1-1/2 2:49.00 $3,000

1884 Knight of Ellerslie 3 S. Fisher Thomas W. Doswell Hancock/Doswell 1-1/2 2:39.50 $3,000

1883 Jacobus 3 George Barbee R. Dwyer James E. Kelley 1-1/2 2:42.50 $2,500

1882 Vanguard 3 Tom Costello R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 1-1/2 2:44.50 $2,000

1881 Saunterer 3 Tom Costello R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 1-1/2 2:40.50 $3,000

1880 Grenada 3 Lloyd Hughes R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 1-1/2 2:40.50 $3,000

1879 Harold 3 Lloyd Hughes R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 1-1/2 2:40.50 $4,000

1878 Duke of Magenta 3 C. Holloway R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 1-1/2 2:41.75 $3,500

1877 Cloverbrook 3 C. Holloway Jeter Walden E. A. Clabaugh 1-1/2 2:45.50 $2,500

1876 Shirley 3 George Barbee W. Brown Pierre Lorillard IV 1-1/2 2:44.75 $3,000

1875 Tom Ochiltree 3 Lloyd Hughes R. Wyndham Walden John F. Chamberlain 1-1/2 2:43.50 $3,000

1874 Culpepper 3 William Donohue Hugh Gaffney Hugh Gaffney 1-1/2 2:56.50 $3,000

1873 Survivor 3 George Barbee A. Davis Pryor John F. Chamberlain 1-1/2 2:43.00 $3,000

A † designates a Triple Crown Winner.

A ‡ designates a filly.

Note: D. Wayne Lukas swept the 1995 Triple Crown with two different horses.[citation needed]

In 2006, Kentucky Derby Winner Barbaro broke down in the first 100 yards of the Preakness. Bernardini went on to win the prestigious event. Barbaro survived his injuries and was cared for at the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania but was euthanized January 29, 2007 due to complications from laminitis. This year's ninth race is now called the Barbaro Stakes in his honor.

(source:wikipedia)

Blake Shelton

Blake Tollison Shelton (born June 18, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma) is an American country music artist. In 2001, he made his debut with the single "Austin". Released as the lead-off single from his self-titled debut album, "Austin" went on to spend five weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. This song was the first single from his gold-certified debut album, which also produced two more Top 20 hits. Although the album was released on Giant Records Nashville, Shelton was transferred to Warner Bros. Records Nashville after Giant closed in late 2001.
His second and third albums, 2003's The Dreamer (his first for Warner Bros. proper) and 2004's Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill, were each certified gold as well. Shelton's fourth album, Pure BS, was issued in 2007, and re-issued in 2008 with a cover of Michael Bublé's pop hit "Home" as one of the bonus tracks. This cover was also that album's third single. A fifth album, Startin' Fires, was released in November 2008.
Overall, Shelton has charted seventeen singles on the country charts, including six Number One hits: "Austin" (2001), "The Baby" (2003), "Some Beach" (2004-2005), "Home" (2008), "She Wouldn't Be Gone" (2009) and "Hillbilly Bone" (2010), a duet with Trace Adkins. Besides these, three more of his singles have reached Top Ten: a cover version of Conway Twitty's "Goodbye Time", "Nobody but Me" and "I'll Just Hold On".

Biography

Biographical info -- life before his musical career.
Shelton was born in Ada, Oklahoma, and began singing at an early age. By age sixteen, Shelton had received a Denbo Diamond Award in his home state. At age 17, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee in pursuit of a recording career.

Blake Shelton and The Dreamer
After several years in Nashville, he signed to Giant Records in 1998. In 2001, he was slated to release a song entitled "I Wanna Talk About Me" as a single. Staff at the label considered the song unsuitable for a lead-off single, however, and the song was eventually recorded by Toby Keith, whose version was a Number One hit.
Instead, Giant released "Austin" written by Kirsti Manna and David Kent, as Shelton's debut single. Shortly after its release, however, Giant Records was dissolved, and Shelton was transferred to Warner Bros. Records, the parent company. "Austin" went on to spend five weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. This song was the single from his self-titled debut album, which also produced the #18-peaking "All Over Me" (which Shelton co-wrote with fellow country artist Earl Thomas Conley) and the #14-peaking "Ol' Red", the latter of which was a cover version of a George Jones song. Although Shelton's rendition was not a major radio hit, he considers it his signature song, and it has become popular in concert. Blake Shelton is certified gold by the RIAA.
Shelton's second album, The Dreamer, was first released on February 4, 2003 on Warner Bros. Records. Its lead-off single, "The Baby", reached Number One on the country charts, holding that position for three weeks. Although the second and third singles ("Heavy Liftin'" and "Playboys of the Southwestern World", respectively) only reached #32 and #24, The Dreamer earned gold certification as well. He, along with Andy Griggs and Montgomery Gentry, sang guest vocals on Tracy Byrd's mid-2003 single "The Truth About Men".
[edit]Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill and Pure BS
Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill was the title of Shelton's third studio album, released in 2004.Its lead-off single, the Harley Allen co-write "When Somebody Knows You That Well", peaked at #37 on the country charts, while the follow-up "Some Beach" went on to become his third Number One hit, holding the Number One position for four weeks. This single was followed by a cover of Conway Twitty's 1988 single "Goodbye Time". Both this cover and its followup, "Nobody but Me", reached Top Ten for Shelton as well. As with his first two albums, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill was certified gold. Accompanying the album's release was a video collection entitled Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill: A Video Collection.
On December 18, 2005, several of Shelton's songs, including "Nobody but Me", appeared on the TV movie The Christmas Blessing, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Rebecca Gayheart, Angus T. Jones, and Rob Lowe. Shelton had a small role at the end of the movie, playing himself at a benefit concert, singing "Nobody but Me".
Shelton issued his fourth studio album, Pure BS, in early 2007. Unlike with his first three albums, which were produced entirely by Bobby Braddock, Shelton worked with Braddock, Brent Rowan, and Paul Worley as producers for this album. Its first two singles — "Don't Make Me" and "The More I Drink" — were both Top 20 hits on the country charts, respectively reaching #12 and #19. Also in late 2007, Shelton made appearances on television shows: first as a judge on the talent competition Nashville Star, and later on Clash of the Choirs.
Pure BS was re-released in 2008 with three bonus tracks, including a cover of Michael Bublé's hit single "Home". This cover, released in early 2008 as the album's third single, became his fourth Number One hit in July of that year.
[edit]Startin' Fires and Hillbilly Bone
"Home" was followed in August 2008 by the single "She Wouldn't Be Gone", his fourteenth chart entry and his fifth Number One hit, as well as the first time in his career that he had two consecutive Number Ones. "She Wouldn't Be Gone" is the lead-off to Shelton's fifth studio album, Startin' Fires, which has also produced the single "I'll Just Hold On". This album also includes "Bare Skin Rug", a duet with Lambert. It was produced by Scott Hendricks, except for one track which was produced by Brent Rowan, and another ("I Don't Care", which carried over from Pure BS) was produced by Braddock.
After "I'll Just Hold On" fell from the chart, in late-October 2009, Shelton released a duet with Trace Adkins titled "Hillbilly Bone." The song is the lead-off single and title track to Shelton's EP, Hillbilly Bone, which was released on March 2, 2010. The song has become Shelton's 16th consecutive Top 40 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart.


All About Tonight
After "Hillbilly Bone" reached #1 in February 2010, Shelton released "All About Tonight", as the lead-off single to his upcoming second extended play, which is set for release later in 2010.


Personal life

Shelton was married to longtime girlfriend Kaynette Williams on November 17, 2003. They were divorced in 2006. As of 2006, he began dating fellow country singer Miranda Lambert, whom he met at the CMT's 100 Greatest Duets Concert.  Lambert also sang background vocals on his cover of Michael Bublé's song, "Home". Shelton's version of the song was a Number One single on the Hot Country Songs chart. Blake proposed to Miranda after asking her father for this blessing on May 9, 2010.



Discography

Main article: Blake Shelton discography
Studio album
Blake Shelton (2001)
The Dreamer (2003)
Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill (2004)
Pure BS (2007)
Startin' Fires (2008)
Extended plays
Blake Shelton: Collector's Edition (2008)
Hillbilly Bone (2010)
All About Tonight (2010)
Compilation album
Blake Shelton - The Essentials (2009)



Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Result
2001 Academy of Country Music Top New Male Vocalist Nominated
2002 Academy of Country Music Top New Male Vocalist Nominated
2003 Academy of Country Music Vocal Event of the Year - "The Truth About Men" (with Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs and Montgomery Gentry) Nominated
2003 Country Music Association Horizon Award Nominated
Vocal Event of the Year - "The Truth About Men" (with Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs and Montgomery Gentry) Nominated
2010 Academy of Country Music Vocal Event of the Year - "Hillbilly Bone" (with Trace Adkins) Won
CMT Music Awards Collaborative Video of the Year - "Hillbilly Bone" (with Trace Adkins) Pending
Source:wikipedia