Headlining his first ever Tour, Glee Star Darren Criss hits Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Hall Tonight. The Listen Up Tour features a combination of songs performed on that Series, plus original Music – old and new – as he preps the release of his long-awaited full-length Solo Disc.

The friendly and personable Criss, whom we’ve had the pleasure of meeting on a few occasions in the past (the last time exactly a year ago), made two appearances early this morning including a visit to KISS 92.5 where a large crowd of Fans awaited, followed by a visit to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), on the same Canadian Network which airs his hit Series.

Spotting me right away, he asks me “Nice seeing you again!  Are you still getting those amazing Photos?”.  I don’t believe he remembers!  Aww!  Some even traveled from as far as New York to see their Idol and he was super-thoughtful taking his time to chat with each and every Fan.

See Criss greet his ardent Fans below:

Watch Criss’ Interview below on The Morning Show:

Criss’ Listen Up Tour wraps June 30, 2013 in Maryland.

In-town for their much-hyped The Package Tour, Popular former-Boy Band 98° are in Toronto right now and promoting their latest Disc, 2.0 along with the Testosterone-packed Show in which they share the spotlight with the likes of NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) and Boyz II Men.  The Band hits Air Canada Centre tonight, returning once again on Sunday, July 28, 2013.

Members Drew Lachey  and Jeff Timmons visited CP24 Breakfast, while Frontman Nick Lachey and Justin Jeffre were assigned to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (Toronto Edition) earlier today and I was lucky to get a Snap with the latter two, who were more than nice despite being in a rush.  Click on each link to watch their Interviews.

Released on Entertainment One, the Disc includes current Single Microphone, their first in over eleven years.

Toronto definitely loves their Kat Von D! The Tattoo Artist-turned-Celebrity thanks to the success of TLC Reality Series L.A. Ink, is back to a City she knows well, being engaged to Toronto Superstar DJ/Producer deadmau5.  The best-selling Author is in-town to promote her latest Book from HarperCollins, Go Big or Go Home, which features Essays and illustrations of large-scale Tattoos.

Von D (short for von Drachenberg) kicked-off her day of Press out at KISS 92.5 appearing on the Roz & Mocha Show, before heading the down road to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition).  In great spirits, she stopped to sign some Autographs and pose for Photos.  Noticing Billy with me she called out, “Oh, look!  A little Marshmallow!!”.  Aww! For some odd reason I clicked the Timer button on my Camera  by accident and when doing our Selfie, she was more than nice to smile for a full 12 seconds before the flash finally went off.  Sweetheart!

She will appear at Chapters – John & Richmond tonight at 7:00 PM and if her last Signing in December 2010 is any indication how popular she is, you should really get there early as she signs copies of Go Big or Go Home tonight.

Learn more about Go Big or Go Home right here.

Our Snap below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/HarperCollins)

Hunks in the Kitchen! What’s not to like about that?  Hailing from New Jersey, Cousins Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri are making a splash for the fantastic work they do, making the dreams of deserving Americans come true.  You won’t believe your eyes some of the Transformations that have taken place under their expertise!

The Kitchen Cousins got their start running their Family-owned Company and while our Friends south of the Border know all about them, their brand new Series Cousins on Call is set to debut on HGTV Canada next Monday, April 22, 2013 at 10:00 PM on HGTV Canada.  The first Season of the Series is highlighted by their heartwarming journey helping (together with Ellen DeGeneres) a Couple  who moved into their new home only 45 days before Hurricane Sandy destroyed their home. More affecting, they also were expecting their first Child.  Khloe Kardashian also surprises her Husband Lamar also on one episode!

I caught-up with the friendly Hunks after their appearance on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) and their kind Publicist was awesome to help take our Snap.  Needless to say they were smitten with Billy!

See our Snap:

Learn more about Cousins on Call here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/HGTV)

Already a star-studded day in Toronto, Canadian-born Crooner Paul Anka was out and about today cross-promoting his Memoir My Way and latest Disc Classic Songs, My Way. He may 71-years-of-age, but he’s definitely still got the energy, aggressively in promotion mode doing an entire day of Press which saw him on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) and at CBC for most of the afternoon for tapings including Q Radio and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.

The former Teen Icon and overall brilliant Singer/Songwriter is known best for his own Hits Lonely Boy and My Home Town, but has also penned some Classics in the American Songbook including Frank Sinatra‘s My Way and Tom Jones’ She’s a Lady.

The support was overwhelming for Anka as he exited the CBC Building today swarmed by Autograph Seekers and starstruck Passersby.  Being the example of grace he is, none were left disappointed as she signed his signature generously despite the intense vibe.

See our Snap below:

Hilarious Nia Vardalos has returned to Toronto, this time to promote her new Book, Instant Mom.  Many of us know her from her unforgettable performance in self-written, Oscar-nominated My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Vardalos‘ Book details the Writer/Director/Actress’ experience as a Mother after adopting her Daughter Ilaria together with Husband Ian Gomez.  It includes innovative tips to take-on the challenges of becoming a Mom and also a How-to-Adopt section.

In addition to a busy morning of appearances including a visit to CTV‘s Marilyn Denis Show, City‘s Breakfast Television, she also will be co-hosting for two days straight on Global Television‘s The Morning Show.  She even learned how to make Sake Cocktails today, joking with the Mixologist, “You’re just making this up as you go, aren’t you?”.

I caught-up with the beautiful Vardalos as she was waiting on her ride away from the rain, next outfit in-hand.  In addition to snapping an awesome Photo together, we chat about my Blog quickly and she was excited for me to spread the word for her.   It’s always amazing seeing one of our v. own go on to do well abroad and returning home just as humble and genuine!

Those of you hoping to meet Vardalos have your chance tonight as she signs copies of Instant Mom at Indigo – Yonge & Eglinton tonight at 7:00 PM.  Have fun!

Our Snap below:

Order Instant Mom right here.

UPDATE: Look who Re-Tweeted this Post!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/HarperOne)

He might be in the running in the face to be Canada’s next Prime Minister, but Justin Trudeau sure seems to have a lot on his mind – so much that he almost ran-off with a Mic!  The alluring and charismatic 41-year-old made an appearance earlier today at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) earlier today and following his visit, he was greeted by Supporters outside the Studio, stopping to sign some Autographs and snap some Pics.  Dressed casual in jeans and a patriotic Canada Goose Jacket, he was more than friendly and gracious to his Fans.

Right before he head off, a relieved Producer from the Show, Mackay Taggart, caught Trudeau in the nick of time to retrieve back a Mic which he was wired-up to, laughing it all off.  Mistakenly, the potential Federal Leader of the Liberal Party, called the Show Breakfast Television!  Dude, there’s a difference!

See a Clip below:

In an interesting tidbit of information, Forum Research recently conducted a Survey asking Canadians whether or not they felt the Son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was fit to be a Prime Minister and a majority 48% of Respondents vote said “yes”, 37% said “no”, while 16% were undecided.

The Liberal Party Leadership will be decided on Sunday, April 14, 2013, with Trudeau expected to win handily.

See my Snap with Trudeau below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

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:

Comedic Great Michael Ian Black currently is in Toronto for the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and to spread the word, the Actor/Writer/Director was out at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition).  He also is scheduled later today for an appearing on CBC‘s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.

In addition to having written the Scripts for Run, Fat Boy, Run and having starred in Cult Hit Wet Hot American Summer, the Connecticut Native currently is keeping busy hosting on the hilarious E! Series Burning Love, which parodies the likes of Reality Series, The Bachelor.  Details here.

Black will be appearing at Randolph Theatre tonight at 8:00 PM and it’s still not too late to get tickets.

My Snap with the funny and kind Black below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

One thing Canadian Television certainly is lacking is the presence of live Primetime programming – unlike our American Friends who have a litany of Talk Shows.  Entertainment Tonight Canada is changing it up with ET Canada Live and the Team behind the ever-popular Staple program have reached-out for a bit of help spreading the word about a super-exciting Opportunity!  ET Canada Live is giving one loyal Fan the chance to be a Special Guest Reporter alongside Cheryl Hickey, Rick Campanelli and Roz Weston on March 27, 2013!

Canadians can submit their 60-second Audition Videos right here, which will be reviewed by ET Canada‘s Producing Team. The top four submissions will be posted online and voting begins March 13, 2013 for the Winner! 

Good luck and hoping not-so-secretly the Winner is one of my own loyal Readers!

(Photo credit: Global Television)