The Britain's Got Talent singing sensation -- known for her frumpy look as well as her beautiful voice -- dyed her hair and showed off a sleeker style on Friday.
Check out Us Weekly's biggest celebrity makeovers of the year.
Boyle, 47, had her graying, frizzy hair dyed chestnut brown and styled for reportedly $50 dollars, or 35 pounds, the Assciated Press reports.
The singer, who was seen earlier this week in a new dress and black leather jacket, showed off another chic ensemble -- topped with a Burberry scarf -- outside her home in Blackburn, Scotland.
Although Boyle -- whose performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables has gotten more than 13 million views on YouTube -- said, "Why should I change?" on Larry King Live last week, she has thought about sprucing up her look.
See what's new with your favorite American Idol contestants.
"Maybe I'll consider a makeover later on," she told the London Times on Saturday. "For now I'm happy the way I am short and plump. I would not go in for Botox or anything like that. I'm content with the way I look. What's wrong with looking like Susan Boyle ? What's the matter with that?"
One person who might not approve of the transformation is Simon Cowell 's fellow British judge Amanda Holden, who said she wouldn't allow the Scottish to get a makeover.
"She needs to stay exactly as she is because that's the reason we love her," Holden told the U.K. Mirror of Boyle. "The minute we turn her into a glamour-puss is when it's spoiled."
Check out the Dancing With the Stars hot body makeovers!
The Britain's Got Talent judges will decide whether Boyle gets through to the next round on May 23.
Today is Earth Day 2009, April 22, which marks the beginning of The Green Generation CampaignTM which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, Earth Day 2009 must be a day of action and civic participation, to defend The Green GenerationTM’s core principles: Family with windmills: Renewable energy for future generations. What are the Earth Day activities? What are the Earth Day facts? What is Earth Day? Is there any Earth Day crafts and Earth Day T-shirts for sale? Read more about Earth Day 2009.
Earth Day activities focuses on the following: * A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal. * An individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption. * Creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one. Join The Flaming Lips, moe. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and more for Earth Day on the National Mall! Under the umbrella of The Green GenerationTM, thousands of events are currently being planned in schools, communities, villages, towns and cities around the world. As in 2008, on April 19th Earth Day Network will celebrate Earth Day on the National Mall in Washington, DC, plus large-scale volunteer events in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, Atlanta, and DC in partnership with Green Apple Festival. We want to make Earth Day a time for meaningful change, so sign up to restore and give back to the community! And after you’re done giving back, celebrate with a free “thank you” concert for all our volunteers! Earth Day Network’s “Green GenerationTM” campaign is a two-year initiative that will launch in 2009 and culminate on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. Similar to “The Greatest Generation” that confronted the challenge of World War II, who inspired the major societal changes that followed, the Green Generation includes ordinary people who are engaged in individual and collective activities to improve their health, to improve their schools, to participate in building a solution to urgent national and global issues, such as climate change or the world’s water crises. People are increasingly bound together in a green movement that will no doubt equal or eclipse other monumental changes in social and industrial history. Earth Day Network is joined by many “futurist” writers who believe that history will view this period as the launch of an era devoted to a whole new way of living and doing business sustainably. Earth Day 2010 will mark that beginning of the change. The Green GenerationTM is open to everyone: people of all ages and all nationalities, consumers who are committed to buying green; community leaders who are focused on greening their communities; parents and teachers who work to provide healthy foods and green schools for their children; those who work in green jobs; academics whose research is focused on innovative products and services; scientists and engineers who develop new green technologies; and governments that seek to implement policies and support research that will build a green economy and healthy population, and the religious community who are committed to a vision of a just, sustainable, green planet. Corporations will play a key leadership role in the Green Generation campaign, particularly those that recognize that their future success is tied to sustainable products and socially just endeavors. Related links to EARTH DAY: Earth Day website - www.earthday.net US Gov Portal for Earth Day - www.earthday.gov Earth Day TV - www.earthdaytv.net The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010 will be recognized by future generations as a turning point for all people worldwide and will mark the beginning of a new era of personal, corporate, and government responsibility for preserving the Earth. Earth Day Network and its Green GenerationTM campaign partners will create and launch a world wide education and media campaign to mark that beginning.Sign our petition! Our partners in Cleveland, Columbus, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Beijing, and Manila, among others, are planning large events where everyone can participate. Find an event or activity near you! Members of Clean Up the Philippines campaign will join millions of volunteers around the globe in the celebration of Earth Day. Volunteers and Members of Kaya Football Club from Sunvalley, Parañaque City will hold their Earth Day tree planting activity on April 21, 2007 at Tanay, Province of Rizal. On the same day, the Rotary Club of Mandaue North together with other Cebu-based environmental organizations will have an Earth Day film showing of the Inconvenient Truth at SM Cinema Theatre, Cebu City. Members of Clean Up the Philippines campaign are encouraged to support Clean Up the World’s 2007 theme, “Our Climate, Our Actions, Our Future” - joining communities around the world taking action on climate change. On September 15, 2007, thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in the Clean Up the Philippines Day, a simultaneous nationwide clean up activity held in conjunction with the national clean up month and international Clean Up the World Weekend Celebration. Clean Up the Philippines campaign is under the banner of Clean Up the World. Supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Clean Up the World is a global environmental initiative which involves more than 35 million volunteers in over 120 countries each year, making it one of the most largest community-based environmental campaigns in the world. For more information on Clean Up the Philippines visit www.mycleanup.org. Earth Day Facts * Earth Day is celebrated during April 22. * Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. * Earth Day is celebrated in many countries every year. * Unofficial Earth Day flag, by John McConnell: the Blue Marble on a blue field. * As a 16-year-old high school student, Betsy Vogel, an environmental advocate and social activist that enjoyed sewing costumes and unique gifts, made a 4 x 6-foot (1.8 m) green and white “theta” ecology flag to commemorate the first Earth Day.
The Walt Disney Studios will celebrate Earth Day 2009 (April 22nd) with the debut of “Earth,” the first feature-length nature documentary from its new production banner, Disneynature. This amazing new film is from award-winning British producer/director Alastair Fothergill, whose credits include the Emmy and Peabody award-winning “Planet Earth” series (BBC and The Discovery Channel) and “The Blue Planet.” Follows the epic migratory journeys of four animal families as well as the earth’s journey around the sun and the massive influence it has on all life on the planet, from the Arctic spring to the Antarctic winter.
Bird migrations are likely to get longer according to a study of the potential impacts of climate change on the breeding and winter ranges of migrant birds.
The findings from a team of scientists led by Durham University in the UK indicate that flights undertaken by birds to spring breeding grounds in Europe could increase by as much as 250 miles for some species.
The research team, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the RSPB, looked at the current migration patterns of European Sylvia warblers, a group of birds that are common residents and visitors to Europe.
Published in the Journal of Biogeography, the report says there is evidence that breeding ranges will shift northwards in the future, while the wintering ranges will remain stationary for many species
Some 500 million birds are estimated to migrate to Europe and Asia from Africa; birds as small as 9 grams undertake the annual migration of thousands of miles between the two continents to find food and suitable climate.
Birds have to put on a large amount of weight as fat before migrating long distances; they even shrink the size of some of their internal organs to become more fuel efficient. Some species must double their weight to have enough energy to undertake the huge journeys.
"Most warblers come [to the UK] in spring and summer time to take advantage of the surplus of insects, and leave for warmer climes in the autumn. From 2071 to 2100, nine out of the 17 species we looked at are projected to face longer migrations, particularly birds that cross the Sahara desert," said Dr Stephen Willis of Durham University in a press statement.
The impact of longer migration flights could be potentially disastrous for some species.
"Our findings show that marathon migrations for some birds are set to become even longer journeys. This is bad news for birds like the Whitethroat, a common farmland bird. The added distance is a considerable threat," said Willis.
Co-author of the research paper, Professor Rhys Green of Cambridge University and RSPB commented in the Journal of Biogeography: "These tiny birds make amazing journeys, pushing themselves to the limits of endurance. Anything that makes those journeys longer or more dependent on rare and vulnerable pit-stop habitats used for refueling on migration could mean the difference between life and death."
The research predicts that some species that fly long distances (on average 2,800 miles to 3,700 miles), are likely to face significantly longer flights, up to 250 miles longer, and shorter distance fliers may face journeys of up to 125 miles longer.
Dr Willis believes that birds are facing the biggest threat to their survival since the Ice Age.
"Some species may be able to adapt and change, for example by adopting shorter migration routes, if they can find enough food at the right time. Bird migrations are incredible feats of stamina and endurance but, as temperatures rise and habitats change, birds will face their biggest challenge since the Pleistocene era," he said.
In the space of a few minutes and a few notes, unemployed Scottish charity worker Susan Boyle won over 3,000 fans. In the space of a few days and YouTube, she has grabbed the attention of millions.
And she also reportedly has A-list fans such as Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.
She didn't play or dress the part of a star on reality TV show "Britain's Got Talent," but within seconds of beginning to sing, the auditorium knew she was one.
Boyle, 47, told the show she had never been married or kissed, and lives in Scotland with her cat, Pebbles.
She still lives in her childhood home in Blackburn, West Lothian, and believes a promise to her mother, Bridget, who died at 91 in 2007, got her on the TV show.
The town, in northeast Scotland, is a former cotton and mining center that now attracts commuters to nearby Aberdeen, the key city for the region's North Sea oil industry.
"I wanted to fulfill a wish to my mother that I wanted to do something with my life. Not only that, but I felt like I had a bit more to offer,'" she told Scottish TV's "Five-thirty" show.
As she revealed her dream to be a professional singer -- as big as Elaine Paige -- many in the 3,000 crowd in The Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland, were smirking or even laughing.
Seconds later, the first gasps emerged as she sang the opening lines of "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables."
About five minutes later, a standing ovation and the praise of the judges, including the show's creator Simon Cowell, were ringing in her ears.
Judge Piers Morgan wrote on the show's Web site: "I watched her performance back again last night, I texted Simon in Hollywood: 'My god, Susan was even better than I remembered -- she's unbelievable.' He agreed, and I could almost feel his beady little eyes going 'KERCHING!' down the line from his new Beverly Hills mansion.
"For, unless I am a brainless aardvark -- which might, sadly, be true -- then this West Lothian villager is going to sell a lot of records once this series is over."
New fans also clogged the message board, many along the lines of Surfer1960's: "I am just blown away by her voice."
She was more critical, saying: "They say that television makes you look fat, and it certainly did. I looked like a garage."
Britain's Press Association reported Moore and Kutcher apparently watched Boyle on YouTube. About five million others have also tuned in to YouTube since Saturday's TV show.
PA reported Cowell is already looking at a record deal for her.
Cast recordings of the track have entered the UK's official midweek singles chart and the iTunes chart. And Boyle is the bookmakers' favorite to win the talent show. She is also among the most searched terms on Google, and her name has been a high trend on Twitter since her appearance.
Boyle told the show Web site she's beginning to enjoy a bit of star treatment: "It's lovely when all the kids stop me in the street to congratulate me."
Now back in her hometown, Boyle has received quite the welcome. The Washington Post reported that children in the town are clapping when she enters stores.
Her parish priest told The Washington Post she'd sing at gatherings and at church, but she has "never flaunted her voice," and this is the first time she's been publicly recognized for her talents.
And on Easter Sunday, churchgoers showed their own appreciation by giving her a standing ovation when she got to Mass.
"We let out a wee bit of a cheer for her," Boyle's parish priest, Ryszard Holuka, told The Washington Post. "We are quite proud of her."
Arlington, Va. -- Captain Richard Phillips is now safe and healthy aboard the USS Boxer after Navy Seals launched a rescue attempt that ended when snipers killed three pirates in three shots, all direct hits to the head.
Vice Admiral William Gortney, Commander of Navy's 5th Fleet, told journalists at the Pentagon Sunday evening a decision was made to take the shots after the pirates were spotted pointing an AK-47 into the back of Captain Phillips.
As soon as the shots were fired, Navy Seals "scurried down" a tow line attached to the lifeboat, and were the first to get to Phillips. They surveyed the scene and found three dead pirates. Phillips was alive, although tied up.
The fourth pirate, who is now in U.S. custody, left the lifeboat hours earlier with the understanding he would negotiate from on board the USS Bainbridge, the massive Navy destroyer that shadowed the lifeboat for several days.
It soon became clear the younger pirate was simply turning himself in and had no intention of going back to lifeboat, according to defense officials.
Shortly after the Seals reached Captain Phillips, a Navy RIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) approached the life boat and safely escorted Phillips back to the Bainbridge. He has since undergone a medical exam and had the chance to take a shower.
According to Admiral Gortney he's healthy and unharmed.
The scene got "tenuous" according to one official, shortly after the three pirates agreed to let the Bainbridge tow their boat. The sea conditions were worsening and the lifeboat was "floundering" before pirates acknowledged that by establishing a tow, it would be a smoother ride.
But sometime soon after the boats were hooked together, shots were fired from the lifeboat and the pirates were seen holding a gun to Captain Phillips back. Acting on a standing order from President Obama to move in when Phillips was in "imminent danger" snipers were ordered to fire.
They established clear head shots on all three pirates. One of the pirates was visible through the front window, and the other two were revealing their heads through the top hatch, presumably to get fresh air. It would be their last breath.
It was an extremely happy ending to a story that doesn't often end well. Just last week the French lost one hostage after their Navy raided a hijacked sailing yacht.
Admiral Gortney left with a warning that today's outcome could lead to more violence in future hijackings, perhaps in the form of retaliation for losing three of their own.
n 'Embarrassed' Carrie Underwood Apologizes to Matthew McConaughey Over Sexual Reference in Acceptance Speech
An 'Embarrassed' Carrie Underwood Apologizes to Matthew Mcconaughey Over Sexual Reference in Acceptance Speech
Carrie Underwood was overwhelmed to have won "Entertainer of the Year" at the American Country Music Awards on Sunday night, but the moment did turn a little mortifying when she made a sexual reference joke to wanting to see Matthew McConaughey's "boots" in her acceptance speech.
The Texas-born actor presented Underwood with the big award, but before his official duties he entertained the audience with a story on how he and his brother once took a road trip thru Texas to see Dwight Yoakam perform. While there the brothers tried to "pick up" a few ladies by telling them that they made a livin' exclusively custom-making George Strait's boots.
"We're like, 'Oh yeah. Say, as I a matter of fact, out in the parking lot, in the trunk of our white Corvette, we have the next year's new edition white ostrich quill George Strait signed series that he's gonna wear on tour next year.' And they got pretty excited about that and said, 'Well, can we see? Can we see? Can we see?'" McConaughey told the audience. "And we obliged ... Point of the story is, we got lucky that night. Thank you, George."
After taking the trophy from McConaughey, a tearful Underwood caused jaws to drop when she said:
"I don't know what to say. I got nothin' ... I want to see those boots, Matthew." (The audience erupted into laughter but somehow we don't think his leading lady, Camila Alves, was so amused). And clearly, Carrie regretted the spur-of-the-moment sexual advance.
"I'm so embarrassed, I totally embarrassed myself. I just blanked," Underwood told Tarts backstage, burying her head in her hands. "You want to say something eloquent in a moment like that and I embarrassed myself. I'm sorry Matthew, I'm sorry to my family. I'm totally embarrassed."
She even admitted that she "blacked out" after hearing her name called and couldn't remember much between making it from her seat to the stage and then to the press room. But as only the 7th woman in the 42-year history of the awards to take the coveted "Entertainer of the Year" honor, it is no wonder Underwood got caught up in the craziness.
"It is definitely a male-dominated genre of music. But this (winning) is just indescribable. I can't wait until the day when having a female nominated in the category is no big deal," she said. "I accept it for all the women before me who kicked butt and never got the recognition they deserve and didn't get the opportunity to get nominated."
The David Cook and David Archuleta one night concert is set to be held on May 16, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia open ground. Both Cook and Archuleta both made video blogs to confirm the highly-anticipated concert their Filipino fans never thought possible.
According to reports, the back-to-back concert of Cook and Archuleta were made possible by Fearless Productions which is co-owned by actor Jomari Yllana and the Singson brothers
Things are pretty set for the 2009 FilBike Bicycle philwebsupport Expo.
For this year, we were able to pull off a coup of sorts by being able to invite not one, but four well known personalities in the cycling industry..
We'll be doing, for the first time in the Philippines, Tech Sessions and Seminars. Schedule is April 2, from 2:00 p.m., until 6 p.m., at the Subic Bay International Convention Center, Subic Bay Gateway Park.
Topics to be discussed, and speakers are:
2:00 p.m. Hans Rey http://www.hansrey.com/ Topic: Wheels 4 Life Wheels 4 Life is a non-profit foundation that has been assisting the less privileged in acquiring a bike. The foundation has the support of the community and is one of the leading projects in the cycling industry. Trivia: In 2006, when Hans Rey came to the Philippines, it was the first time in the foundation's history where he personally turned over to recipients bikes. Some of the recipients were people who were affected by the deadly Southern Leyte landslide.
3:00 p.m. Brian Lopes http://www.brianlopes.com/ Topic: How to compete in the world cup Brian Lopes has been described as being the most complete rider in the philwebsupport cycling industry.. He has been riding bicycles all his life, and was just recently inducted to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and BMX Hall of Fame. His experience and insight in competing in the world cup is an invaluable and will be able to help Filipino athletes in getting a better understanding of the competition at the highest level of competition.
4:00 p.m. Jeff Jones http://www.jonesbikes.com/ Topic: The Philosophy of designing a Jones bike Jeff Jones is a legend in the philwebsupport cycling industry in terms of cutting edge design of bicycle frame and rigid forks. He bases his design on the demands of the trails in Oregon, USA. Jeff is known as a leader in the design of the non-suspended bicycle. His ideas and passion have created an exceptional ride - a geometry that delivers superb handling, comfort and efficiency.
5:00 p.m. Jay Macneil http://www.bansheebikes.com/ Topic: Bicycle suspension 101 Get the low down on the basics of bicycle suspension designs. Too many times people have been fed wrong and misleading information about bicycle suspension designs and how rear suspension works. Now get it straight without the marketing hype.. Jay is the chief operating officer of Banshee Bikes, one of the world's leader in mountain bike full suspension bikes.
Additional philwebsupport topics: Bike Fitting 101 Topic: The essentials of bike fitting and how important is a proper fitting bicycle
