Monday, February 27, 2012

Who wore it best? Vote for your favorite Oscars red carpet look

Actresses Jessica Chastain, Gwyneth Paltrow and Michelle Williams at the 84th annual Academy Awards.

It's only the most important honor of the night: Who wore it best on the red carpet.

After an evening filled with many white, sequined and red gowns, TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas narrowed down the fashionable competition with her top picks.

Check out Angelina Jolie, Michelle Williams, and more A-list celebrities who dazzled in glamorous gowns.

And at the bottom of this post, vote for your favorite ... or name someone else who you liked better in the comments. (Was Miss Piggy snubbed? Let us know!)

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Jessica Chastain's custom Alexander McQueen bustier gown complemented her fair skin and red hair in a beautifully dark and dramatic way.

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow, in Tom Ford, proved less is more in a sleek, striking silhouette. Could be my favorite of the night.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Michelle Williams stayed true to her personal style, but turned up the volume in a bright coral Louis Vuitton peplum dress.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Confident and glowing, Octavia Spencer shined in her designer of choice, Tadashi Shoji.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Penelope Cruz graced the carpet in a Giorgio Armani ball gown, perfectly suited for a fairy tale.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Cameron Diaz's Gucci gown was both expected and exceptional — a bit safe for a fashion-savvy gal.

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Natalie Portman, in vintage Christian Dior, dared to wear a polka dot print dress on the carpet. Marvelous or Minnie Mouse?

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Emma Stone wooed fashionistas in a Giambattista Valli, reminiscent of a past Nicole Kidman look, but the oversized bow may have been overwhelming. 

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Polished and pretty, Melissa McCarthy looked lovely in a soft rose Marina Rinaldi gown.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Golden girl Meryl Streep took a risk in a reflective, metallic Lanvin draped dress.

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Sandra Bullock said she was feeling "sexy" in her slinky black and white Marchesa. It's a fun, fashion-forward look. 

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Stunning Angelina Jolie stepped out, literally, in her thigh-high slit Versace Atelier. But she failed to top her Golden Globes gown (also Versace).

Who looked best on the Oscars red carpet?

How you voted

What do you think of the gowns? Keep up with TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas at @bobbiethomas and share your favorite looks on Facebook.

Related content: 

Results

Total of 56,233 votes
Gwyneth Paltrow

27.7%
(15,583 votes)
Penelope Cruz

16.6%
(9,351 votes)
Jessica Chastain

12%
(6,746 votes)
Angelina Jolie

8.9%
(4,992 votes)
Michelle Williams

8.5%
(4,784 votes)
Octavia Spencer

8%
(4,498 votes)
Cameron Diaz

6.1%
(3,420 votes)
Sandra Bullock

5.6%
(3,168 votes)
Natalie Portman

2.8%
(1,557 votes)
Emma Stone

1.9%
(1,068 votes)
Meryl Streep

1%
(554 votes)
Melissa McCarthy

0.9%
(512 votes)

Vote for your favorite Oscar gown!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Supermodels without photoshop

Photoshop and airbrushing scandals grow less shocking by the day, but we are always super excited to see unretouched photos. It's satisfying to see what celebrities and models really look like! The photo at the left was taken last weekend in St. Barth's during a photo shoot for Glamour's June issue. From left to right we have Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio, plus-size model Crystal Renn, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl Brooklyn Decker.

Of course makeup artists and celeb hair stylist Ted Gibson were on hand to help beautify the ladies, but this photo has not been airbrushed at all.

Do you think women would feel better about themselves if photos were not retouched, and we were able to see celebrities and models as their true undoctored selves? [WWD][Fashionindie]


*For the record, I just want to clarify that Crystal Renn is a size 12, and that is what the modeling industry--not myself--labels as plus-size.

A plus-size?

U.S. Videos

Michigan Teen Lifts Car Off of his Grandfather.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Best Cereal

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Do you like breakfast cereal? Visit this site and vote on your favorite.

Monday, February 13, 2012

There’s a word for why Adele’s music makes us cry

grammy, grammys, adele, appoggiatura Last night Adele ruled the Grammys. One could say the basis of her appeal is how her songs can make the tears flow.

Music undeniably has an impact on our emotions and can even evoke physiological reactions – like goose bumps and tears. Does this impact come from the lyrics or from the notes themselves? Psychologists have been trying to figure this out, and it turns out it’s the music, not the words. So if you’ve cried listening to Adele’s song “Someone Like You,” it’s not your fault. The Grammy-winning song has all of the signatures of emotionally provocative music.

In particular, Adele embellishes the song with unexpected notes called appoggiaturas, or grace notes. Appoggiatura means “a propping up.” Musically speaking, it is a note that is not essential to the harmony or the melody. The appoggiatura contrasts the melody and creates tension, according to musical psychologists. This tension is relieved when the singer returns to the melody and provides emotional relief to the listener.Then the tears start flowing.

For a more in-depth analysis of the “Anatomy of a Tear Jerker” see this article at the Wall Street Journal.

Grammy Awards 2012

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6 Grammys for Adele!!! Way to go!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Madonna’s Toga-Clad Tightrope Walker: Who Was That Guy?

Photo: Us Weekly

All eyes may have been on Madonna at the start of her Super Bowl XLVI halftime show, but when the pop diva launched into her hit "Music," a relative unknown performer named Andy Lewis took center stage.

PHOTOS: Stars at Super Bowl XLVI

Balancing on a wire tightrope, Lewis -- who goes by the stage name Sketchy Andy -- performed a series of tricks while dressed in a white toga as Madge looked on.

Different from tightrope walking, the practice of slackening involves a stretchy bit of nylon wire that allows for more of a trampoline effect during tricks.

VIDEO: Madonna stumbles on stage during "Music"

"I started slacklining in 2004, it was my favorite hobby in 2005, my lifestyle in 2006, and since then it has pretty much absorbed me entirely," Utah's Lewis, 25, writes on the Website FiveTen.com.

Extreme athlete Lewis has reportedly signed on to perform 100 more shows with Madonna, but Sunday wasn't his first time in front of the camera.

VIDEO: M.I.A. flips off Super Bowl cameras

In 2011, the 6'2" performer showed off his death-defying stunts thousands of feet off the ground -- sometimes while naked -- as part of the 2011 Reel Rock DVD.

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How did you like Madonna's Half Time Superbowl Show?