Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Supermodel taken to woodshed

London -- Eating disorder experts criticized Kate Moss on Thursday after the supermodel cited as her motto a phrase used on Web sites that encourage girls to avoid eating.

In an interview with the fashion Web site WWD, Moss said one of her mottos was "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

The same slogan is posted on Web sites encouraging girls not to eat.

Mary George of British eating-disorder charity Beat called Moss's words "very unfortunate.

"Comments like this make it even more difficult" for young people struggling with an eating disorder," she said.

Model Katie Green, who is campaigning to stop the use of ultra-thin "size zero" models, told The Sun newspaper the comments were "shocking and irresponsible."

Moss, 35, is famous for her waif-like look, which helped spur a trend for super-thin models in the 1990s.

Moss's modeling agency, Storm, said her words had been misinterpreted.

Singer gives back

Cologne, Germany Latin superstar Ricky Martin said Thursday he is teaming up with a German broadcaster to support his foundation and build a youth center for children in his native Puerto Rico.

Multi-Grammy winning singer Martin said he is joining RTL on a telethon to raise money to build the center in Loiza, near the capital, San Juan.

"The idea is to build a center, a safe haven for children that are at risk of exploitation, which is the main mission of my foundation."

The RTL telethon is also raising money for other international and German children's charities.

The center in Loiza will be able to accommodate 150 children and will offer them art classes, meditation, martial arts and yoga, Martin said. It has been designed by University of Puerto Rico architecture students.

'Lost' to end series

Los Angeles ABC says the final season of "Lost" will begin in February with a night devoted to the drama.

An hourlong special recounting the story line so far will air at 8 p.m. EST Tuesday, Feb. 2, followed by the two-hour season premiere.

"Lost" will move to its regular 9-10 p.m. EST time slot beginning the following week, on Feb. 9, the network said Thursday.

The series about an airplane crash and its aftermath on a mysterious island is ending after six seasons. The stars of "Lost" include Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly.

Brown acting right

Los Angeles Chris Brown has received an "extremely favorable" report from probation officials overseeing his felony assault case, a judge said Thursday.

Brown appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom to offer a judge his first progress report since being sentenced for beating ex-girlfriend Rihanna earlier this year. He talked and laughed with his lawyer before the hearing, which took less than 10 minutes.

Central Park artist dies

New York Artist Jeanne-Claude, who created the 2005 Central Park installation "The Gates" and other large scale "wrapping" projects around the globe with her husband Christo, has died. She was 74.

Jeanne-Claude died Wednesday night at a New York hospital from complications of a brain aneurysm, her family said in an e-mail statement.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he spoke with Christo on Thursday morning and offered condolences on behalf of all New Yorkers.

"The Gates" festooned 23 miles of Central Park's footpaths with thousands of saffron drapes hung from specially designed frames.

Birthdays today

TV personality Richard Dawson, 77

Comedian Dick Smothers, 71

Musician Joe Walsh, 62

Actress Bo Derek, 53

Rapper Mike D, 44

Country singer Dierks Bentley, 34

Country singer Josh Turner, 32