Billy Joel marries in surprise US wedding

NEW YORK -- US pop legend Billy Joel married longtime girlfriend Alexis Roderick in a surprise wedding Saturday, popping their nuptials on unsuspecting guests at a July 4 holiday party, the singer's publicist said.

The wedding, which took place on Joel's Long Island estate, was officiated by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Joel and Roderick "surprised guests at their annual July 4th party by exchanging vows in front of their family and close friends," said a statement sent to AFP by Joel's publicist Claire Mercuri.

Among the guests were actor Kevin James and Joel's daughter Alexa Ray Joel -- whom he had with his second wife, former supermodel Christie Brinkley.

Joel, 66, and Roderick, who is in her early 30s according to US media, are expecting their first child in the next few months, his publicist said.

"Congratulations to the glowing bride and groom. And to my daughter Alexa, who has a wonderful friend in Alexis," Brinkley posted on Instagram.

Roderick is Joel's fourth wife. The couple has been together since 2009, US media reported.

Joel has sold more than 150 million records and has been nominated for a Grammy 23 times, according to his website.

Some of his most popular hits include "Uptown Girl," "Just The Way You Are" and "The Longest Time".

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Paul cries as Toni walks down the aisle

MANILA - Paul Soriano, whom Toni Gonzaga admittedly considered a lesser priority to her career for more than seven years, could not hold his tears as the actress finally walked down the aisle on their wedding day, June 12.

Gonzaga, who was a vision in her Vera Wang gown, was brought by her parents -- Carlito and Crisanta -- to the altar of a Taytay church that witnessed many milestones in her life.



Wearing a Hugo Boss suit, Soriano turned emotional when Gonzaga's parents, who had been fiercely protective of their daughter, entrusted her to him following years of abiding by rules imposed on their relationship.

In a part of her wedding vow, Gonzaga acknowledged Soriano's patience throughout the past eight years -- for not being allowed to travel together, for being second priority.

"Every time I would ask you, 'Why are you choosing to stay with me?' You would simply answer, 'Because I love you.' For eight years, you have fought for your position in my life, and there were times when I would see you get tired. But there was never a time you gave up."

Soriano told his bride: "I love you so much. I'm all yours. I'm going to protect you, and I'm going to do my best to give you that love that your parents gave you. I know your parents love you so much... I will do my best to love you like they did for 31 years."

Fans of the couple can look forward to an extended look of the nuptials as ABS-CBN airs on Saturday, June 13, "Perfect Together: Paul and Toni's Wedding Special" after "Maalaala Mo Kaya" at 10 p.m.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Tequila and cigars: Clooney's stag party in Venice

VENICE - George Clooney said goodbye to bachelorhood in Venice on Friday with a stag party at his favorite restaurant with a host of Hollywood chums.

The actor had swept into the floating city on Friday with his British fiancée Amal Alamuddin on a watertaxi dubbed "Amore", zipping up the Grand Canal to cheers from fans at the start of nuptials set to draw out over the weekend.

As evening approached and girls across the world sobbed, he set out in black tie for an all-boys do with friends to celebrate one of his last nights as a single man.

After shaking off paparazzi, Clooney headed to Da Ivo near Saint Mark's Square where his security detail was spotted lurking as the star and friends dined on the venue's prized Venetian and Tuscan delicacies.

He was then reported to have headed to the luxurious Cipriani hotel where he was set to sleep, but not before rounding off the evening with some shots and cigars.

The 53-year-old actor had 100 cases of his own tequila label flown in for his wedding and was expected to crack open bottles of the award-winning tipple at the stag party.

Clooney's Lebanon-born bride-to-be was spotted in a long red gown heading off to her own soiree at the fresco-adorned Aman hotel with close friends including Ellen Barkin -- who threw the 36-year-old human rights lawyer a hen party several weeks ago.

Matt Damon, Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber -- tipped to be Clooney's best man -- were just a few of the stars in Venice for the wedding, with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and musician Bono tipped to follow on Saturday.

- 'When I fall in love' -

The couple are expected to be officially married in a civil ceremony on Monday, but will have to work hard not to succumb to a hangover before then with a party for 130 or so guests at a reception on Saturday.

The rich and famous will be escorted by police boats to the exclusive seven-star Aman resort within the 450-year-old Palazzo Papadopoli to keep over-excited Clooney admirers and hundreds of photographers at a distance.

They'll be met with lashings of fizz and canapes in the garden, an oasis sheltered from the bustle of the canal, before sitting down in the main library to a sumptuous five-course dinner, according to a source close to the hotel.

The Aman's restaurant will be turned into a nightclub where they'll dance the night away, with Lana Del Rey reportedly preparing to serenade the couple and Clooney dedicating the song "When I fall in Love" to Alamuddin.

A string orchestra and jazz trio are also expected to perform a number of songs, including the uber-romantic "Smoke gets in your eyes", a ballad made famous by The Platters in 1958.

Rome's former mayor Walter Veltroni, a long-term friend of Clooney's, will be performing the civil ceremony, which is likely to be held in the town hall, the stunning Ca' Farsetti 14th century palace opposite the Aman hotel.

Alamuddin moved to Britain as a three-year-old and her rights work has involved representing Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Clooney was married once before, to "Mad Men" actress Talia Balsam, but the pair split in 1993, just before his breakout role in "ER" propelled him to the status of global sex symbol.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com