One of Television’s favourite real-life Couples came back to Toronto to deliver a bit of Easter Cheer.  Toronto Native Nina Dobrev, Star of The CW‘s hit Series The Vampire Diaries arrived in Toronto with her Partner/Co-Star Ian Somerhalder on Good Friday, and in addition to visiting her Family, they also visited one special Fan at SickKids Hospital earlier today.

Cambridge Teen Kayla Baker recently was admitted to Intensive Care at the Toronto Hospital, still currently awaiting a double Lung Transplant.  Her Idols Dobrev and Somerhalder put aside time to pay her a special visit shortly after 3:00 PM Saturday, spending an  hour with her, making a life’s wish come true.  Baker‘s Classmates at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School meanwhile continue to raise funds aggressively in her honour.

See Dobrev and Somerhalder‘s Video to Baker below:

Earlier in the day, the Couple made a stop-off at our famous St. Lawrence Market and put aside a little time for Spirit and Health after their Hospital visit doing a Hot Yoga Session at a Queen Street West Studio, where one surprised Patron had the pleasure of Somerhalder being her Yoga Partner!   Unfortunately, some Fans who spotted the Couple out and about earlier today were denied Photos with the Couple, but they did get waves from Dobrev in the Driver’s Seat and Somerhalder in the Passenger’s Seat of their car. 

Dobrev and Somerhalder were spotted early Easter Day enjoying some Tim Hortons before heading-off to an Easter Lunch with the Family.  The Couple headed straight out of Toronto midday with Family sending them off with a warm Goodbye, as they embark on a new work week. The Couple were amazingly nice to stop quickly for a few Photos with Fans, a sunglass-donning Somerhalder whispering, “Be careful not to draw attention to us.”. The Vampire Diaries continues to film in Georgia, with its fourth season Finale set to air mid-May.

Meanwhile, Dobrev and Somerhalder‘s Diaries Co-Stars Daniel Gillies and Joseph Morgan just have been announced to star in a Spin-Off of the wildly successful Series, set in New Orleans.  That Episode which will serve as a Pilot for the Series, airs on Thursday, April 25, 2013.  This however, keeps Gillies a v. busy Man as he’s also to film the second season of CTV‘s Medical-Drama Series Saving Hope in Toronto as well up till September.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

At long last, the Long Weekend has come and to those of you who celebrate it, Happy Easter!  To lots of Chocolate, Fish & Chips and somewhere along the way, let’s remember the ultimate Sacrifice Jesus made for us all so that we could be forgiven of our sins and go to Heaven.

Wishing you and your Loved Ones an amazing Long Weekend!

xMr. Will and billy

p.s. Those delicious looking Cakes are from none other than Pusateri’s.

eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a Double Pass to the Toronto Advance Screening of The Sapphires.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll sing along! The Screening takes place at Cineplex Odeon Varsity next week.

The Sapphires holds a dear place in my heart and I’m thrilled for everyone to discover its greatness.  Directed by Wayne Blair, the Musical-Dramedy is based on the true Story of a Family of four Aboriginal-Australian Women brought over to Vietnam to entertain the U.S. Troops during the War in 1968. They learn about life and live amidst dangerous times. The Film stars Deborah Mailman (The Secret Life of Us), Chris O’Dowd (Girls, Bridesmaids) and Australian Idol Runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Mauboy also continues to sweep major Awards for her Performance here back in her native Australia.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

To enter to win a Double Pass to the Toronto Advance Screening of The Sapphires, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before April 1, 2013.  To double your chances, simply share this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thesapphires @MRWILLW wants me to #win a Double Pass to a #Toronto Advance Screening of #THESAPPHIRES. In theatres 4/5/13. #Contest

The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to The Sapphires also is available via Sony Music Canada right here.

The Sapphires hits theatres in Toronto exclusively at Cineplex Odeon Varsity on Friday, April 5, 2013.

Visit the Canadian Website for The Sapphires here.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

If you aren’t a fan of Anna Kendrick, I swear this will win you over.   The Oscar-nominated Actress stole our hearts with her amazing vocal talent in last year’s Pitch Perfect and here she is in a Funny or Die Sketch which has her joining Korean Pop Group F(x), a Quintet who have topped both the U.S. and Canada iTunes Electronic Album Charts.

The Sketch sees Kendrick sent off to Seoul by her Manager, to go through Girl Group Boot Camp of Song and Dance.  Before you know it’s she’s mastering Korean and an Asian Pop Sensation with a legacy to share with her Grandchildren.  “I look like I’m in Cloud Atlas“.  Hilar.

Watch below:

A Pitch-Perfect way to kick-off the Long Weekend!

(Photo/video credit: Funny or Die)

You know we’re getting old when even The Jonas Brothers are making a comeback!  The Boys have announced today that their eagerly-awaited new Single Pom Poms will be released on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.  The Pop-Rock Banger will premiere on Radio at 11:00 AM EST, to be followed by its Video Premiere at 7:00 PM EST over at e! Online.  The Track will appear on their as-yet-untitled fifth Studio Disc out later this year via Universal Music Canada.

In the meantime, whet your appetites with this Teaser for Pom Poms!

In other news, another Disney Alumni Selena Gomez and Jonas Labelmate, who seems to be everywhere these days promoting the amazing Spring Breakers, has announced today that she soon will be releasing the first Single from her first Solo Disc sans The Scene, titled Come and Get It. The Track, written by Stargate and Ester Dean, will surface first on iTunes exclusively on Monday, April 8, 2013, to be followed by other outlets one day after.  The Album is due some time this Summer, so perhaps we might see her at the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards for a bit of Promo? 

Exclusive content, including Previews of the Single will be available via Gomez‘s Official Website on Monday, April 1, 2013 and no, that’s no April Fool’s Joke!  She will be debuting the Track with a live performance of it on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards! I adored Gomez‘s last Disc, Till the Sun Goes Down.  Superb. 

The stunning Kate Mara finds herself back in Toronto once again, this time to promote House of Cards.  Those of you who have been following know v. well how much I adore the Netflix Original Series which premiered back in February and we were among the first to preview the Series here in Canada!

Mara has gained familiarity in acclaimed releases like 127 Hours, Brokeback Mountain and American Horror Story, but many are calling her role as ambitious Journalist Zoe Barnes in House of Cards her true Breakout Role – and rightfully so.  She is fantastic opposite Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, a commanding presence who is ruthless in her drive to be on top.  Success didn’t come overnight  for the older Sister of equally brilliant Rooney Mara – she’s been working hard for quite some time, first gig was a role on Law & Order back in 1997.

The Actress has a busy day ahead of her and earlier today appeared on CTV‘s Canada AM (watch here) and Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), where Paparazzi finally were able to capture some real  Star Power in the City after what has been an extended drought. Mara caps-off her day with a taping over at CBC‘s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.

“I’m so glad you love the Show!”, she tells me this morning as she signs a House of Cards Gatefold Spread I lifted from my Copy of Vanity Fair.  “We haven’t begun filming yet, but will start in about one week”.   Mara rushed into the front seat of her Navigator, her hair in a low-fuss Ponytail, waist-length jacket, pants and pumps – gray and blue just like the hues of the David Fincher-produced and directed Series.

Of course, that Autograph mentioned would be for my lovely Readers and Mara was game to sign it for you.  To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before April 15, 2013.  Share the Photo with your Friends on Facebook and double those chances. All are welcome to enter!

Here’s a Snap I got with Mara who I ran into by chance shopping on Bloor Street during TIFF back in 2011:

The entire first Season of House of Cards is now available on Netflix Canada.  Eagerly awaiting Season Two!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Amazing!  If there was any doubt Justin Timberlake‘s back and bigger than ever, his The 20/20 Experience shakes-up the Music Industry, proving that when a Record Label wants to invest in an Album, Consumers will buy. And buy they did!

The slickly-packaged Disc released just last Tuesday has sold over 968k copies in its debut, placing at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart and even more impressively, he did it without gimmicks like an array of Special Editions.  Target had an Exclusive Edition, but even that Retailer was number two to iTunes in sales. 

In contrast to his previous two Solo Efforts, 2002’s Justified sold 439k copies in his first week and 2006’s FutureSex/LoveSounds sold 684k copies.

Although impressive, Timberlake‘s The 20/20 Experience still doesn’t surpass Taylor Swift‘s Red, which sold 1.2 million its first week – last year’s biggest debut, eventually going on to sell 3.1 million copies.

(Photo credit: Sony Music)

Well, this just looks odd! Michael Bay ventures into Comedy with Miami-set Pain and Gain, which centers around the True Story of a Trio of Bodybuilders get caught-up in an Extortion Ring and Kidnapping Scheme which goes horribly wrong.

Mark Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson star, with this being the latter’s third Film out in three months. How can anyone resist Wilson being inappopriate and naughty?

Check-out this brand new Red Band Trailer, which shocks as much as it amuses (NSFW!):

Paramount Pictures releases Pain and Gain on April 26, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

This totally breaks my heart. Back in the late ’90s, my BFF Fran raved to me about an emerging  new Artist named Don Philip who was on the same label which brought us Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. I did as told and was taken aback by how catchy his Tracks were –  his voice impeccable. I remember eagerly waiting for his Album to come out, but with delay upon delay, the Disc never saw the light of day domestically.  On a Student’s budget, I had to rely on a burned copy of the CD to get me by. The Album from the handsome young Crooner did see a release in Asia where he made a bit of a name for himself, but his deserved Fame never came in these parts. He fell off the Pop Radar and I forgot about him completely.

Here are a couple of Philip‘s amazingly catchy Promo Singles. Perfect Pop.

You Make Me Love You

Sugar

After reflecting upon ’90s Music this weekend, Fran brought-up Philip once again and amidst all the bustle during TIFF last September, I never did get around to watching the first few episodes of the U.S.’s The X Factor.  I learned that Philip had auditioned for the Show, but instead of his return being triumphant as hoped, everything went awry.  The Singer on-stage wasn’t the gleaming Star I remembered 14 years prior and certainly not the same Guy who partnered with The X-Factor Judge Britney Spears on her debut Disc …One More Time on their Track, I Will Still Love You.

Watching his Audition on YouTube is the most difficult thing as we see Spears‘ face turn from happily supportive to soberingly saddened after realizing the hardships Philip has gone through since they last saw one another and then watching his Audition.  Although edited out, he came-out as a Gay Man before the Audience and Judges that day and later made allegations against The X Factor Producers he felt “bullied” him into his admission.  Worst of all, Spears had to deliver a rejection to her old Friend and Tour Mate: “I have to say no”.  We all remember Spears‘ v. public Breakdown in 2007 and this hits a little too close to home as this could easily have been her today without the Intervention she got.

Watch Philips’ Audition below:

As the Cameras follow Philip off-stage, it becomes apparent that something is terribly wrong as he cries inconsolably, “I never meant to hurt Britney… I’m so sorry Britney“. A quick perusal of his Twitter Timeline  to this day reveals perhaps an Obsession of sorts with her, still defining himself primarily in his Bio as having once done a Duet with her.

Even more unsettling is this recent Interview with Philip, where he discusses his Career and new Music.  His erratic behaviour distracts from everything he is saying and some might say he exhibits the symptoms of someone who abuses substances.  He claims now to feel “free” since outing himself, however if his shaky behaviour is a result of “coming out”, then 10% of North Americans are in serious trouble.

Upon Googling further, an Image Search shows multiple sexually explicit Screen Captures of self-filmed Videos (NSFW) made by Philip. It pains me to see someone who had this much potential and talent, see his own world crumble, yet still fight so hard to keep his dream alive.  But like many other talented Artists before him who had false starts or were dropped unceremoniously from their Labels, this is a Reality and a side to Fame we often don’t see after the Spotlight dims and it’s tragic. Philip clearly is battling his own Demons.

Finding happiness sometimes involves recognizing your own shortcomings, recognizing failure and having the bravery to ask for help. Here’s to hoping sincerely that Philip is able to find his balance in life.

You know him from Ally McBeal, The Shawshank Redemption and last year’s Box Office Hit The House at the End of the Street and he’s definitely one Canada’s great Talents. Gil Bellows is in Toronto to promote the release of Mad Ship, jointly-filmed in Canada and Norway.  The Great Depression-era Drama is about a Man whom is driven to madness after the loss of his Wife, deciding to build a homemade Ship to sail away from the Prairies.  It also stars Rachel Blanchard, Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Aidan Devine.

Vancouver-born Bellows has an action-packed day which included a stop at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) Co-Hosted this week by Carson Kressley, where I spotted him leaving and looking dapper sporting a well-suited Mustache. Special thanks to his kind Publicist who took the time to snap our Photo!

 Bellows also appeared on CITY‘s Breakfast Television and is doing Press at a certain Canadian Fashion Giant including the likes of Entertainment Tonight Canada, before ending the day at CBC‘s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.

See our Snap below!

D Films releases Mad Ship in Toronto on Friday, March 29, 2013.

Watch the Trailer in full below: