Year in review: Top 10 biggest global celeb stories
1. Break-ups and hook-ups
2011 marks a year of the breakdown of several high profile marriages: Arnold Schwazenegger cheated on his long-time wife Maria Shriver with a plain housekeeper, Jennifer Lopez's seemingly loving marriage to Marc Anthony ended (the sexy 42-year-old J Lo is reportedly now dating her 24-year-old back-up dancer Casper Smart) and who can leave out the the dissolution of the union between Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher?
It is not all bad news though: Jennifer Aniston found a new man again after Brad Pitt dumped her for Angelina Jolie. The popular Friends star is now basking in the throes of love with hot new squeeze Justin Theroux and trumped Jolie to the 'Hottest Woman of All Time' honour by Men's Health Magazine.
2. They left us this year
Heavyweight champion Joe Frazier — who had taken on Muhammad Ali — died of liver cancer; screen siren Elizabeth Taylor also passed away this year. Perhaps the most shocking death belongs to talented but troubled singer Amy Winehouse. With her passing at the age of 27 in her own home, the 'Rehab' singer joined the '27 club', comprising musicians such as Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix who all died at that age.
3. And there he goes again
Hong Kong bad boy Edison Chen will never learn, it seems. Barely three years after he made headlines after compromising pictures of him with ex-girlfriends such as Gillian Chung -- one-half of pop duo Twins -- were leaked, Edison found himself starring in yet another photo scandal, this time round with 16-year-old model Cammie Tse. The teenager first said that there were no nude pictures and that she did not have sex with Edison, only to later tearfully claim to the press that she lost her virginity to the Canadian-born actor-singer.
4. Kpop takes on the world
Super Junior hold their first concerts in Europe, the nine lasses in Girls' Generation released their first English single "The Boys" to the American market, 2NE1 collaborates with will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas, you get the drift.
Singapore hasn't been spared from K-mania. Legions of fans went wild at the annual Mnet Asian Music Awards — a ceremony honouring the best in Korean entertainment — which was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium this year. Die-hard Girls' Generation (or SNSD) fans even went for both nights of the pop group's concert here.
5. The one who stole the show
Pippa Middleton announced her entrance in that tight white bridesmaid dress and stole the thunder from her elder sister in the royal wedding of the year. Since then, the paparazzi has never stopped stalking this 27-year-old sister of the Duchess of Cambridge.
6. More celebrity babies
The Beckhams welcomed their fourth child -- their first daughter, Mariah Carey gave birth to a pair of twins, Victoria's Secret models Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes both became proud mummies while Natalie Portman and Pink both became first-time mums.
7. The shortest, most profitable joint venture?
That honour undoubtedly goes to reality star Kim Kardashian and her estranged husband, basketball player Kris Humphries. Barely 72 days after their much publicised, and very expensive (read US$10million) wedding, the duo filed for divorce. Publicity stunt to push up viewer ratings for the Kardashian reality show or genuine love gone sour? You decide.
8. Father or not, Bieber fever continues
Is there no stopping Justin Bieber? The teen sensation's star continues to shine, and this year he also has a new lady love in the form of singer-actress Selena Gomez. The lovey-dovey pair continue to trade looks, hugs and kisses, and remained together even in the face of accusations by 20-year-old Mariah Yeater that the boy wonder had fathered her baby boy.
9. Stars' nude pictures get leaked. Again.
Voluptuous star Scarlett Johansson, Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively, R&B singer Rihanna, High School Musical alumnus Vanessa Hudgens all made the news for their leaked naked pictures. Honourable mention goes to Lindsay Lohan, whose naked Playboy cover was leaked before the magazine hit the shelves.
10. The year when Charlie Sheen continued to be...well Charlie Sheen
The beleaguered actor went through his third attempt at rehabilitation, publicly made derogatory remarks about the creator of television sitcom Two and a Half Men, asked for a pay raise despite already being the highest-paid television actor and was fired from the show in March. His personal life is equally complicated -- he was allegedly caught partying with porn stars and has a relationship with two women at the same time.