Archive for Jade Goody

Now It’s Jade: The Musical

jade-goody

OK – we’ve had Sister Act and Legally Blonde, the musicals. We’ve accepted the fact that nowadays ANYTHING is considered perfect fodder for a singing’n'dancing extravaganza. But the death of UK reality star Jade Goody? Apparently so.

“[One of the] various projects we’ve got in the pipeline is a musical we’ve got coming out in about four months time and its going to be the story of her life. We’re going to be on the search for who is going to play Jade,” her friend Danny Hayward said.

Of course, it’s the natural next stage to cash in on celebrate a celeb’s life following autobiographies, TV specials and magazine tribute issues. We are horrified can’t wait to see how they turn her poverty and drug-stricken upbringing, antics on Big Brother, and battle with cancer into some alternately peppy or heartfelt showtunes. Sigh. [Photo: WireImage]

Thousands Line The Streets At Jade Goody’s Funeral

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British reality star Jade Goody was buried on Saturday in a tearjerker of a funeral that rivaled Princess Diana’s for its scale and media coverage. The 27-year-old died on March 22 after suffering from cervical cancer for less than a year. The occasion veered between moments of humor – flowers on the cortege read ‘minging’ and ‘East Angula’ (referring to Jade’s catchphrases and ignorance of British geography) -and heartbreaking poignancy, with a note from Jade’s sons that included the words, “We love you very much and speak about you every day, we know you are with us when we play on the beach, eat our dinner and even when we are coloring in pictures for you, we know we can talk to you and you’ll hear us.”

Her funeral procession started off in South London’s Bermondsey disctrict – where Jade originally hailed from – and continued for 19 miles to her home in Essex. Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets in London and screens outside St John the Baptist church relayed a montage of photos of Jade shown inside the funeral. Minute-by-minute coverage of the entire event was shown on Britain’s Sky News channel, demonstrating Jade’s incredible command of the media, even after her untimely death. [Photos: Getty Images]

Jade Goody Dies At 27

British reality star Jade Goody died this morning of cervical cancer at the age of just 27. The mother of two had “deteriorated dramatically” in the past few days and she had been in a coma-like state for the past 48 hours. She passed away on Mother’s Day in the UK, and sadly wasn’t able to see her young sons Bobby and Freddy for a last time, as they had planned to give her a homemade card and flowers. Since receiving her terminal diagnosis earlier this year, Jade had married boyfriend Jack Tweed in a poignant ceremony and had herself and her sons christened only two weeks ago. She discharged herself from the Royal Marsden cancer hospital ten days ago to allow herself to die at home in Essex.

Jade first shot to fame on the third series of Big Brother in the UK, and immediately became well-known for her outspoken personality and ridiculed for her lack of general knowledge. But once outside the house, she became the most successful ex-reality star ever seen, her life story, loves and dramas gracing the covers of countless magazines. She parlayed her fame into huge success, with a biography, perfume and countless reality shows to her name.

But Jade also experienced a spectacular fall from grace in January 2007, when she went back into the Big Brother house, but this time on the Celebrity version. Clashing with Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, she was accused of racist bullying. The fallout ruined her career, with the British media publicly denouncing her, many shops refusing to stock her products, and Jade making many public tearful apologies protesting her innocence. Over time, she rehabilitated her image and made up with Shilpa. At the time of receiving her cancer diagnosis last summer, she was appearing on the Indian version of Big Brother and heard the news on live TV.

After announcing the news, Jade made her cancer battle public, and bore criticism and praise from all corners for her very honest approach to fighting the disease — and her aim to earn as much money as possible to leave to her sons. “It’s not to buy flash cars or big houses. It’s for my sons’ future if I’m not here. I don’t want my kids to have the same miserable, drug-blighted, poverty-stricken childhood that I did,” she said.

Her wedding to boyfriend Jack was broadcast on British TV two weeks ago, and was unbearably bittersweet as the bald star wore her dream dress. Jade lived her life through the public spotlight in a way that no one had ever done before, and was probably the first reality superstar created by TV. Her legacy has resulted in unprecedented numbers of young women going for smear tests, and the British government has announced a review to lower the age of cancer screening. The death of this funny, sparky girl is a tragedy that has already been hailed as a life-saver for many others who may have otherwise missed the first signs of the disease. [Photo: FilmMagic]

More People Waiting For Jade Goody To Die

The daily, if not hourly coverage of UK reality star Jade Goody’s inevitable death from cervical cancer is beginning to take on a macabre twist. On the same day that Britain’s OK! magazine published a hideously tacky “tribute issue” to the 27 year old, before she’s actually died (complete with celebrity “pals” talking about her in the past tense), an announcement was made about a cancer diary book coming out about her life.

“It is impossible not to be moved by her heart-warming voice which comes through loud and clear on every page of this last diary. This emotional book tells a fascinating story of our time, a story of a woman who rose to fame as a controversial reality TV star and has now won admiration in the eyes of many for the fortitude with which she is facing terminal cancer,” says Belinda Budge of publisher HarperCollins.

As the book’s not going to come out until after she’s passed, it feels more and more like an entire industry is poised over this poor girl, waiting for her to go. If not only so The Sun can stop its daily barrel-scraping headlines of “Jade’s Last Look At Sunny Fields” and “Jade’s Last Party.” Sad. [Photo: Splash News Online]

Dying Jade’s Two New Friends: Amy And Jacko

The sad terminal cancer of Britain’s reality star Jade Goody has taken a bizarre turn in the past few days. As coverage of her illness has spread across the world, hospitalized Jade has been reached out to by some pretty unlikely “friends.” First, Amy Winehouse apparently updated her Facebook status to shout out to the recently-married Jade, writing, “Mrs Tweed I’m trying to get ya. Anyone got a number. Mrs Civil xx.” (And don’t think we didn’t notice Amy still wants to be married to Blake Incarcerated in that missive)

Even weirder is Michael Jackson’s slightly creepy attempts to make contact with Jade, as revealed by her publicist Max Clifford. “Michael Jackson phoned her over the weekend but couldn’t get through. He wanted to pop in and see her but instead sent her his love and said he was thinking about her,” he said. Brrr. We think poor Jade is probably better off for not having to encounter Jacko in her last days, as he piously tries to show how empathetic and kind and understanding he is. Would he have bothered with Jade if she wasn’t garnering worldwide attention for her sad illness? We’re just sayin’. [Photos: WENN]

Oprah, Larry King, Fight Over Jade Goody Interview

America may not be too familiar with Jade Goody, but over in England she’s front page news. The reality TV mogul – think Heidi Montag for comparison, but with a Britney Spears-like empire – is battling terminal cancer, and documenting it all for one final reality show. Jade, 27, was recently married to boyfriend Jack Tweed (who is on probation for assault, natch) and she’s currently doing as much as she can to earn money to leave her two young sons. Just today, it was revealed that her cancer has spread to her brain and blood.

“Jade’s story is now being heard all over the world – it is pretty remarkable,” said her publicist, Max Clifford. “I have hundreds of people calling me daily, just wanting an update about her. So far, Oprah Winfrey and Larry King really want to do an interview too.”

Jade already snagged over $1 million for her wedding pics and story in a deal with OK! Magazine, so a TV interview is sure to bring big bucks. Time to lay down the dough, Oprah – this is one weepy chat we’d tune in for. [Photo: Splash News Online]