2009: The Year's Top Stories
PA Photos26. X Factor beaten to Christmas No1
After four years of Christmas No1s, X Factor's reign was finally broken when Rage Against The Machine's "Killing In The Name" nabbed the top spot from Joe McElderry, following an intense battle and orchestrated online campaign.
PA Photos25. The Femme Buzz
The year us gals got creative with a razor … The savvy likes of Rihanna, Amelle Berrabah, Sarah Harding and Solange Knowles stepped out with semi-shorn styles and, before you could say Alice Dellal, every girl in Shoreditch and their mothers had one. Alas, buzz-cuts are cool again, if not for the faint-hearted.
Rex FeaturesSex And The City 2
What is it? We’re a bit worried if you need us to tell you that! The trailer doesn’t give much away, but we know the girls go to Morocco, wear more fabulous designer clothes, Mr. Big’s at his best and Samantha seems to have yet another hot toy boy.
Why watch it? Look out for more crazy cameos, this time from Liza Minnelli, Miley Cyrus and Penelope Cruz. And most of all – the clothes!
WATCH THE SATC2 TRAILER ON GLAMOUR TV HERE
PA Photos23. Katy Perry’s MTV Outfits: November 2009
MTV Europe Music Awards hostess Katy Perry – determined to do one better than her 10 costumes last year – changed a whopping 12 times during this year’s ceremony. And, true to form, the GLAMOUR.COM favourite shied away from standard red carpet wear, instead opting for kooky couture choices like this bullet hole prom dress by Viktor & Rolf and a corset in West Ham United’s colours, as a tribute to boyfriend Russell Brand. Aw!
Firstview22. The 80s revival
2009 saw the revival of all trends 80s and fabulous including bold geometric leggings and high octane party make-up that added a touch of wham to our wardrobes! Balmania swept the fashion world and inspired the return of shoulder pads and directional tailoring – keep for 2010, this trend is set to stay.
PA Photos21. New style couple – Bollywood Beauties
After the runaway success of Slumdog Millionaire, the screen romance between Dev Patel and Frieda Pinto became a glittering reality. The stylish duo graced international red carpets and the front rows at Fashion Week decked in ready-to-wear Burberry and covetable designer accessories. Now that’s a happy ending!
WENN20. LORD Gaga? June 2009
Glastonbury was memorable this year for many reasons, not least because those pictures emerged of Lady Gaga, showing what appeared to be more than ‘balls’ in the hypothetical sense. The online rumour mill soon hit fever pitch, with bloggers the world over claiming the Poker Face quirk queen was a hermaphrodite. Lady Gaga’s response? “My beautiful vagina is very offended.” Brilliant.
Big Pictures19. Mischa Barton’s hospitalisation: July 2009
We couldn’t believe the pictures of Mischa Barton’s yo-yo weight but, things only got worse, in July when she was detained in a psychiatric ward. The actress recovered enough to return to work on My Beautiful Life, only to see it get cancelled after two episodes. Fingers crossed 2010 will be brighter for the OC star.
Rex Features18. Gossip Girl – the romances the fashion and well, the gossip
Who knew that 2009 would be the year we all found a show to fill the void that has been in our lives since SATC ended? Since the latest Gossip Girl series hit our screens we’ve literally feasted on the drama, the fashion and most of all, the off-screen romances that have developed between our new fave celebs. Mouth-watering...
WENN17. Amy Winehouse turns her life around
As usual it’s been a year of ups and downs from Ms Winehouse – but since divorcing Blake, she’s gotten clean (and put on a few much-needed pounds in the process) and has started work on a new album - which we hear is set to be ‘mind-blowing’ - so things are on the up. Fingers crossed for an even better 2010 for you Amy!
16. Cheryl Cole bags a VOGUE cover: January 2009
With her controversial past behind her, an X Factor judging gig safely under her belt and her fashion star on the rise, there was only one thing left for the nation’s new sweetheart to conquer... Mrs Cole graced British VOGUE’s February cover, talking openly in the magazine about husband Ashley, the rumours surrounding their marriage and even gave Simon Cowell some style tips.
WENN15. Strictly Come Dancing - Alesha Dixon replaces Arlene, let the backlash begin: August-September 2009
When Strictly judge Arlene Phillips (66) was axed from the show it sparked an ageism debate nationwide – and things didn’t improve much when the gorgeous, young, previous winner Alesha Dixon was announced as her replacement. Some thought she wasn’t qualified enough to replace ‘big guns’ Arlene but, despite the backlash and after some dodgy reviews of her first few shows, Alesha won over her critics and is still in place, going strong.
PA Photos14. Madonna dating Jesus
After her high-profile divorce, Madonna started 2009 with a new model. Literally. 23-year-old Brazilian Jesus Luz was the object of her affections and the relationship cued numerous biblical references in the tabloids. We may have been laughing then but it’s December now and they’re still going strong.
WENN13. LiLo’s Fashionable New Job: September 2009
The fashion world gasped (some in shock, most in horror) when it was announced that Lindsay Lohan accepted the role of Artistic Advisor for the Emanuel Ungaro fashion house. The star worked closely with new chief designer Estrella Archs on the latest collection but was snubbed by critics, including Gambasti Valli (Ungaro’s ex-Art Director of seven years) who stated - “An actress ought to be an actress, and a fashion designer ought to be a fashion designer”.
PA Photos12. Jedward on the X Factor: August – November
Who would have thought two cute, fun-loving 17-year-old boys would have instigated such venom in the British public? When twin signers John and Edward found themselves in the final lives shows for TV’s X Factor, sure we all questioned their talents as singers but no one was prepared (including the boys) for the hate campaign that began. But the boys eventually got Simon Cowell to accept they were at least ‘entertaining’. The nation soon followed suit and while they were booted off the show, we predict a fruitful 2010 for the boys – girls love ’em!
PA Photos11. Topshop opens its first US store: April 2009
In April 2009, our American sisters found out what they’d been missing out on all these years, as high street giant Topshop opened its first Stateside store. After not one but three celeb-filled pre-parties, Miss Moss and Sir Philip Green cut the ribbon for the new shop – as a crowd of several hundred excited fashionistas stampeded their way in!
PA Photos10. Kate Moss: “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”: November 2009
She ain’t no stranger to controversy, but La Moss sparked another tabloid debate when she was quoted as saying, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” on fashion website WWD.COM at the end of this year. The supermodel came under fire from various media sources, being branded irresponsible for the effect her comments might have on younger girls.
9. Collaborations galore!
Fashion gave the middle finger to economic doom through a host of designer and high street collaborations including the sell-out Matthew Williamson for H&M, Beth Ditto for Evans, Yasmin Le Bon for Wallis, Jil Sander for Uniqlo, Stella McCartnery for GAP and Jimmy Choo for H&M. 2010 looks set to banish shopaholic’s blues with Henry Holland for Debenhams and Sonia Rykiel for H&M hitting stores.
Rex Features8. The X Factor Style Wars begin! August 2009
Another year, another fashion face-off between X Factor judges Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole. While Cheryl ruled the headlines last year, Dannii came back fighting in 2009 with a slick new bob and a penchant for Australian design house J’Aton Couture – which even prompted Simon Cowell’s pal Sinitta to announce, “Cheryl’s not the golden girl anymore.” But despite some unpopular wardrobe choices (remember that David Koma ‘bin lid’ dress?), she’s still winning our hearts with sparkly, party-perfect mini dresses from the likes of Versace, Marios Schwab and Alexander Wang.
PA Photos7. Rihanna’s rollercoaster year
Rihanna refused to play the victim after it emerged that she’d been assaulted by boyfriend Chris Brown the night before the Grammys. Instead, the singer fought back with a hit album and some feisty red carpet fashion that had everyone talking.
PA Photos6. Twilight Mania
Vampires suddenly seemed very sexy in 2009; thanks no least to a certain Mr Pattinson, who charmed teens and their mums alike to be crowned GLAMOUR’s Sexiest Man of the Year in August. One question still unanswered – has he charmed co-star Kristen Stewart too?
PA Photos5. Celebrity Deaths
This year saw several stars pass away in tragic circumstances. Patrick Swayze and Farrah Fawcett succumbed to cancer, while the world was left shocked when Stephen Gately, Brittany Murphy and Natasha Richardson all died suddenly.
Rex Features4. Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent: April 2009
When 47 year old Scottish charity worker Susan Boyle walked onto the stage of Britain’s got talent, nobody expected what would happen. Audience members rolled their eyes and scoffed as she told judges of her dreams to become a singer – but were quickly silenced as she sang the first note of her beautiful rendition of I Dreamed A Dream. That very moment received over 100million hits on youtube (earning her a gaggle of celebrity fans, including Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher along the way) and her first album is set to top charts worldwide. Who’s laughing now?
PA Photos3. Katie Price and Peter Andre Divorce: September 2009
It was a love story that began in the jungle in 1994 and ended five years later in divorce, via 2 kids, a fairytale wedding, a reality TV show, a duet, and finally mudslinging in the headlines. Peter went on to make his own TV show following his re-launched music career, whilst Katie fell fowl of public approval after dating cage-fighting beefcake Alex Reid. Who knows what will happen in 2010 for these two, its one story we can never predict...we wish them both luck though!
PA Photos2. Jade Goody passes away from cancer: March 2009
At just 27 years old, young mum of two - Jade Goody finally lost her battle with cancer to a stunned nation. Her final months had been filmed for a documentary on Living TV inspiring mixed feeling amongst the public, but ultimately her short life and sad death created what will forever be known as the ‘Jade Effect’ - a dramatic reverse in the downward trend in women going for cervical cancer screening tests.
PA Photos1. Michael Jackon RIP: June 2009
You’ll always remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news. Thursday, the 25th June 2009 – pop superstar Michael Jackson died at home on his Neverland ranch, sending ripples throughout the world. And it didn’t end there. Jacko became the world’s biggest-selling artist once more in the months that followed (with seven of his songs in the UK Top 10), fans with tickets to his O2 shows were left both angry and grief-stricken when refunds looked unlikely, and then things took on a shock, sinister turn when a coroner ruled ‘wrongful death’…
