Made in Brazil

Santoro In Cannes

Apparently Jim Carrey is not the only on-screen male love interest Rodrigo Santoro will have this year. His character in the Argentine movie Leonera, which opened in Cannes yesterday, also has a bit of a gay twist. The movie revolves around an incarcerated woman struggling to raise her son from prison, and Santoro plays the love interest of the husband she killed. His character also develops a relationship with the woman, played by Martina Gusman. Watch the trailer here.

Leonera is not Rodrigo's only reason for being in Cannes this year. He is also promoting Steven Soderbergh's Che, in which he plays Cuban president Raul Castro.

On more news from Cannes, Fernando Meirelles' Blindness kicked off the festival yesterday to rather mild reviews. Click here for pictures of the premiere (Julianne Moore was looking fabulous as usual).

Stalking Rodrigo Santorace

Actor Rodrigo Santoro was caught in some vintage Versace fashions while shooting I Love You, Philip Morris with Jim Carrey yesterday in Miami. More pictures of the two actors playing gay at The Daily Mail.

Brazil's Biggest Acting Exports

Rodrigo Santoro and Alice Braga at the premiere of David Mamet's Redbelt in Hollywood on Monday night. (Source)

The trailer of the movie is after the jump.

Swimsuit Movie History

To celebrate spring break, Moviefone is hosting an online poll to elect the hottest leading men in swimsuits. While there are perhaps way too many swimtrunks in the selection, speedos are there as well, worn by Elvis Presley, Jesse Bradford, and 007 Daniel Craig. Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro is also included in the list, for his role in Charlie's Angels. Head over to Moviefone now and vote for him (although I must say my personal favorite happens to be the latest Bond).

A Semana: Camila Alves, Santoro, American Idol, And Madonna In Brazil

Want a bag designed by the future mother of Matthew McConaughey's baby? You can order one starting this month. According to RG Vogue, Brazilian model Camila Alves is launching a website to feature her line of Muxo bags. Prices will range from US$500 ro $1350, and all bags will be hand-sewn by Camila herself, her mother, and a few assistants. There are even men's styles in case you guys are interested.

Actor Rodrigo Santoro is back on the market: him and gf Ellen Jabour have officially called it quits.

Ana Beatriz Barros posed for footwear brand Drummond for the second season in a row.

Tom Ford is a busy coverboy these days. Now when is he going to pose naked again?

You have to watch Justice's new video for DVNO. It is logomania at its best.

Love that I finally got to watch American Idol live now that am in New York. Is it just me or is this the gayest season ever? David Hernandez's stripper past has been brought to surface, Danny Noriega almost performed in heels, and I developed a major crush on Luke Menard. Needles to say, I liked David Archuleta's performance, but I do want to see him perform something a little more upbeat (and flamboyant).

Rumor has it that Madonna will be including Brazil on her next tour. I can't wait to watch the video for 4 Minutes To Save The World, which will apparently pick up from where Hung Up ended.

Stalking Santoro

It seems like the backstage action is not the only thing I am missing this week by skipping the shows in Rio: Rodrigo Santoro spent the afternoon at the beach yesterday with his gf Ellen Jabour.

One more shot or Rodrigo riding the waves after the jump.

Stalking Santoro

Getting take-out for dinner last night in Rio, with gf Ellen Jabour.

More at Ego.

A Semana: André Ziehe, Fashion Rio, Santoro, And Gay Rights

Armani Exchange partnered with Tiesto to design a limited edition Remix The Future t-shirt. 100% of the profits from the sales will support Mercy Corps. and its mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive communities. Model Andre Ziehe can already be seen in the ad promoting the t-shirt at AX Style Traxx. He is also going to be on the upcoming AX campaign shot in Ibiza with fellow Brazilians Izabel Goulart and Miro Moreira.

Another Brazilian label has conquered a slot on the New York Fashion Week line up: Iódice will present its fall collection in the Big Apple for the first time ever this February.

The line up for Fashion Rio has been unveiled. The shows start on January 8, and the complete schedule is after the jump.

The Golden Globe nominations have been announced today.

Brazilian actress Alice Braga attended the premiere of I Am Legend sandwiched in between Tom Cruise and Will Smith.

Rodrigo Santoro attended a party celebrating the 65 years of chocolate popsicle Chicabom in São Paulo last night.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that he is organizing the first national conference of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transexuals, to be held from May 9th to 11th in 2008. The conference is expected to propose the guidelines for the implementation of public policies and the national plan to promote the citizenship and human rights of LGBT people.

The Brazilian Supreme Court suspended yesterday the law that made sex change operations obligatory by the public health system. According to minister Ellen Gracie Northfleet, from now on each request for a sex change operation will be examined separately in order to cut down government costs. Transexual organizations around the country classified the measure as a violation of civil rights.

Surprisingly, according to Folha Online, 18 out of the 20 most watched movies at For Man, the only gay erotic channel in the country available on cable, had something to do with a transexual theme.

I was sad to read that three establishments in São Paulo requested not to be included in journalist Sérgio Ripardo's new gay guide to the city because they did not want their names associated with any gay media. They were hotels Formula-1, patisserie Ofner, and cafe Santo Grão. From now on, I guarantee you that I will not be spending my money at any of them. Call me silly but I don't want to endorse any establishment that is homophobic.

Santoro May Do A Gilmore Girl

Rodrigo Santoro is keeping busy this holiday season with another movie project in the works. The Brazilian actor is part of the cast of the upcoming Fox Atomic college comedy The Post-Grad Survival Guide, in which he may play one of the love interests of Alexis Bledel, known for her role on The Gilmore Girls. Friday Night Lights' star Zach Gilford, Michael Keaton, and Carol Burnett are also joining the cast.

The film centers on Ryden Malby (played by Bledel), who graduates from college and is forced to move back home with her eccentric family while trying to find a job, meet the right guy and figure out where her life is headed. It is directed by Vicky Jenson, from Shrek and Shark Tale.

Stalking Santoro

With gf Ellen Jabour at Barra da Tijuca last Friday. More at Estrelando.

Chef Santoro

Rodrigo Santoro posed in different attires for Ibirapuera Life magazine. The chef picture is my favorite. More here.

A Semana: Gisele, Santoro, Alicia Keys, Sex On The Beach, And New HIV Data

La Bündchen has once again been confirmed to walk the runway for Colcci on January 8 at Fashion Rio. It will be her seventh consecutive season on the campaign for the brand.

Designer Marc Jacobs keeps on flaunting his naked body in yet another shot from Visionaire 52.

Rodrigo Santoro is in early talks with Buena Onda Americas to play the lead role in the upcoming production of Old Mountain, an epic about the childhood friendship and adult-life confrontation of a rich landowner's son and the son of his humble black foreman, set in Minas Gerais.

Alicia Keys' new album As I Am debuted on the first slot of the Billboard charts this week, with sales of 742,000 copies. That's the best sales week for a female artist since Norah Jones' Feels Like Home in 2004. Alicia Keys' single No One took over the first slot on the Hot 100 chart this week as well.

Work that: check out Mary J. Blige in the new commercial for iPod and iTunes.

Brazilian celebs never learn: actors Karina Bacchi and Jean Fercondini were caught in steamy pictures at the beach yesterday.

Nightclub Bubu Lounge has been closed temporarily by the city of São Paulo. The club usually packs about 2,000 people on Friday nights. I personally love it there so I hope it reopens soon.

DJ duo Chus & Ceballos will be playing at Flexx in São Paulo tomorrow night.

In a study released this week, statistics show that the number of heterosexual men infected with the HIV virus in Brazil has risen in the last ten years. In 1996, 25.6% of all men infected with HIV were heterosexal, while 29.4% were homosexual. Those numbers have now changed to 42.6% and 27.6%, respectively, proving that the HIV and Aids epidemic has been kept under control amongst the gay community in the country. However, the same study notes that there has been an increase on the number of gay men infected with HIV between the ages of 13 and 24.

Look Who's Doing The Gap

Actor Rodrigo Santoro and model Caroline Trentini scored the Holiday campaign for The Gap, in billboards and phone booths all over America.

Stalking Rodrigo Santoro

At a party for his gf Ellen Jabour last Friday in Rio.

A Semana: New Madonna, Mika, Gay Characters, And Santoro's Birthday

Cauã Reymond and gf Grazi Massafera hit the beach in Rio.

A new Madonna track called The Beat Goes On has leaked on the web. It sounds like a colabo with Pharrell which I am sure will not end up on the final cut of the new album. Madonna will be performing at the MTV VMAs with Justin Timberlake.

Mika sings Hey Betty (You Are Beautiful) for the new fall season of Ugly Betty.

Listen to Danish pop group Private's My Secret Lover.

Janice Dickinson and her legion of models would rather go naked than to wear fur.

The new primetime soap Duas Caras has not started yet, but a gay character has already been confirmed. Unlike the hunky and successful (but bland) gay couple from the current soap Paraíso Tropical, actor Thiago Mendonça will play Bernardinho, who will be poor and end up kicked out of his home when his parents find out about his sexuality.

Actors Lázaro Ramos, Isabel Filardis, and presenter Fernanda Young, are expected at this Sunday's 3rd Annual Niterói Gay Pride Parade in Rio de Janeiro.

Happy birthday to Rodrigo Santoro, who is turning 32 today. According to O Globo, the actor has been invited to play Raul Castro, Fidel's brother, in an upcoming movie about Cuba. Rodrigo just finished shooting David Mamet's Redbelt, opposite Tim Allen and Brazilian Alice Braga.

Nightrider: Rodrigo Santoro

Now that is a good way to avoid traffic, but maybe not the paparazzi: Rodrigo Santoro was certainly the hottest biker in Leblon last night. More at Ego.

A Semana: Air Traffic Crisis, La Bündchen's Birthday, Santoro And Lindsay, Floripa Pride, And Pan-American Hotties

Because of bad weather, TAM Airlines canceled all flights departing from Congonhas airport this morning. 40% of all flights have either been delayed or canceled in the country today because of a radar failure over the Amazon on Friday night, which forced air traffic controllers to turn back or ground a string of international flights. The radar outage was the first time that international flights have been severely affected by the air traffic crisis in Brazil.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke to the nation on Friday night, announcing new safety measures and saying that authorities will build a new airport in São Paulo. According to the president, aviation officials will limit the number of flights and restrict the weight of planes traveling into Congonhas airport.

Infraero's president José Carlos Pereira did not agree on an intervention by the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers in Brazilian territory. IFACTA claimed that the Brazilian government was not capable of solving the air traffic crisis without international help.

Gisele celebrated her birthday shopping for art with beau Tom Brady in New York yesterday.

Rodrigo Santoro has been tapped to play tango singer Carlos Gardel in the upcoming movie Dare To Love Me. Shakira is also confirmed in the cast, as well as Lindsay Lohan, who is already learning to tango.

Shortly after his contract with Cori expired, designer Alexandre Herchcovitch has been named the new creative director of jeanswear label Zoomp.

Gay Big Brother Brazil winner Jean Willys has been confirmed as programming director of the country's first online gay TV channel, entitled GTV.

Peter Rauhofer was announced as the main attraction for Gay Pride in Floripa. He is scheduled to spin at Floripa Music Hall on September 7.

While the Pan-American Games are still going on in Rio, the big question remains unanswered: who is the hottest male athlete?

Brazilian beach volleyball players Ricardo and Emanuel conquered the only gold medal missing in their collection yesterday in Rio. The duo is already gold in the Olympics, and in the world championships, which they have won for the past four years straight.

Stalking Santoro

Nothing like having Rodrigo Santoro in the country to make the beach an even sexier place. For more pictures of him surfing in Rio this week, check out Ego.

Stalking Cauã And Rodrigo

Cauã was caught playing at the beach with girlfriend Grazi Massafera and her kid brother after surfing on Tuesday.

Rodrigo Santoro also spent time with his girlfriend on Wednesday night at the Multishow Brazilian Music Awards.

A Semana: YouTube On Trial, Santoro, iPhone, A Gay Soccer Player, And Attacks Against Gays

Earlier this year MTV presenter Daniela Cicarelli filed a lawsuit against YouTube in Brazil because a video of her having public sex at the beach in Spain was being broadcast non-stop on the site. Yesterday YouTube won the case, claiming that Cicarelli could not base her case on violation of privacy when she was having sex in a public beach to begin with. Now that the presenter lost the case, the sex video will be making its way back on the internet.

Rodrigo Santoro is back on a movie set. He started shooting Redbelt with director David Mamet this month. The movie is about jiu-jitsu.

Paris Hilton was finally released from Lynwood Detention Facility after serving three weeks.

Gisele undressed for Michael Thompson on the latest W.

The Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am is apparently in the country shooting a movie to go with his solo debut album Songs About Girls.

The NYT reports about the much anticipated iPhone.

According to Folha Online, a soccer player from a major São Paulo club is ready to come out on national TV. Globo networks has been negotiating an exclusive interview, but the player's manager is against it.

Fortaleza in Ceará recognized its first gay civil union (also referred to as stable union in Brazil) last week, giving pension and health care rights to a lesbian couple who has been together for 22 years.

While progress is being made on the legal front, attacks against gays by groups of skinheads are still on the rise in the Jardins neighborhood in São Paulo. In the past month alone, a French man was murdered during Gay Pride weekend, a 17-year-old girl was attacked and molested, and a 19-year-old boy was stabbed to death this past weekend at Amarelinho at Rua da Consolação, a prominent gay hangout. There is a protest against the attacks scheduled for this Thursday at Rua Augusta. For more on the Jardins attacks, check out Club Whirled.

Stalking Santoro

Looking good (and grown-up) in a tux at the Alma Awards in Pasadena last Friday.

Mr. Santoro was also at the MTV Movie Awards last night, where he lost Best Villain to Jack Nicholson in The Departed (still not sure how Meryl Streep did not win for The Devil Wears Prada). Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen got intimate at the cerimony.

Stalking Santoro

At the premiere of his new Brazilian movie Não por Acaso in Rio last night (escorted by girlfriend Ellen Jabour).

Stalking Santoro

In Recife last Friday for the national premiere of his new Brazilian movie Não por Acaso.

Rodrigo had to learn to play pool in two months in order to play Pedro in the movie directed by newcomer Philippe Barcinski. Pictures via Ego.

Santoro Is Keeping Busy

Don't think Rodrigo Santoro will disappear now that the 300 press blitz is over. Last week it was reported that the Brazilian actor was cast opposite Rose McGowan in Black Oasis, a film about the life of troubled starlet Susan Chabot, a favorite of the B-movie circuit who was bludgeoned to death by her son. Stephan Elliot from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is the writer and director.

You will not have to wait long though to see Santoro again on the big screen. His new Brazilian movie Não Por Acaso, directed by Philipe Barcinski, premieres this week at Cine-PE, Brazil's most popular film festival. In it, Santoro plays a pool player who loses his girlfriend in an accident.

Rodrigo Santoro Dives In

In a sneak peek from tonight's episode of Lost, we finally get what we have been waiting for from Mr. Santoro. Why did it take so long for the producers to get him shirtless and wet?

More On The Brazilian Premiere Of 300

If it looks like this has been the biggest movie premiere in Brazil ever, it is possibly because it has. Rodrigo Santoro (avec girlfriend Ellen Jabour on Monday night) just earned the title of Best Brazilian Export since La Bündchen.

FYI, at the after-party the Maneater Of The Month award was revoked from actress Luana Piovani (who was or is dating 19-year-old model Raphael Sander), and given to journalist Glória Maria, who spent the night harrassing Gerard Butler.

Stalking Santoro: 300 In Rio

Thanks to Mr. Santoro and his recently acquired Hollywood very A-list status, Brazil was the chosen Latin American country for the launch of 300.

I know some of you have issues with the movie (and maybe I will too once I see it), but this is about a Brazilian actor making a big break in a foreign market, so leave your prejudice aside, and just be happy for Rodrigo. The premiere of the movie yesterday at Cine Oden also brought to Rio Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, producers Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari, and (cute) director Zack Snyder. Click here for pictures of the red carpet.

Apparently Gerard Butler danced the night away at the after party at Baronetti, and was harrassed by a legion of Brazilian women. He liked Brazil so much he had his flight switched to Thursday.

Stalking Santoro: Good Morning America

Rodrigo Santoro is set to conquer the world with the movie 300. Take a look at his interview on Good Morning America:

Just how handsome does he look? Thanks Junior for sending the link.

Waiting For 300 And Stalking Santoro

Zack Snyder's 300 opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, and there is a lot of buzz about Rodrigo Santoro in the role of Xerxes. In a recent interview to promote the movie, here is what the Brazilian actor had to say about shaving his hair for the part:

I had my whole body shaved man. We started waxing and I have a lot of respect for women after that, but I will leave that to the girls, it just hurt so much. The next day I was asking for a razor and we were shaving my whole body.

The makeup process, four hours and a half, was a great time for me to get into character because he's so much about himself. I just took that time for myself to get into that character and just be a megalomaniac giant believing that he was just beyond anything.

Click here for more pictures of the premiere last night.

The Boy From Brazil

Does Mr. Santoro want to be a star in the United States? I guess he is already one judging from his fashion spread on the March issue of GQ, and the upcoming promotional blitz for the movie "300." Scans via Lula Rodrigues.

Carnaval 2007: Stalking Santoro

The Brazilian actor apparently took a break from Lost to spend Carnival in Rio watching the parade with girlfriend Ellen Jabour. Via Te Contei.

Santoro Didn't Know He Was A Gay Icon

In a recent interview to promote the movie 300, Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro talks about what he would do if he were a woman for a day, and acts surprised to find out he has become a gay icon (thanks to the internet).

Clip courtesy of Torgen an Morgen.

Stalking Santoro In Hawaii

Before coming to Brazil for his girlfriend's birthday last week, the Brazilian actor got to watch the surfers at the beach in Hawaii as well as U2 in concert.

Like many of you, he will be in Rio for New Year's. Via Papel Pop.

Stalking Santoro

At his girlfriend Ellen Jabour's birthday last Thursday in Rio de Janeiro.

More pictures of the couple at Estrelando.

Click here to vote for Rodrigo as Hottest Brazilian of 2006.

WTF?

Believe it or not, the pierced creature above is Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro in another promotional image from the upcoming movie 300.

Number 12

Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro takes the 12th position on People magazine's list of the sexiest men of the year, ahead of Brad Pitt. Now tell me something I didn't know.

Surfing With Santoro

The November cover of Vogue RG promises an article about Rodrigo Santoro's routine in Hawaii while shooting Lost, but all it actually features is the page below.

I was expecting a little more. Click on image to enlarge.

BTW, last week the 31-year-old actor complained about the criticism from Brazilian media over the fact that he has not had a major part in the series yet this season. "People are used to seeing me as a main character in Brazilian television. They can't seem to understand that things are different in the United States."

Lost Sneak Peek: Every Man For Himself

Rodrigo Santoro debuted on ABC's Lost last Wednesday, and here is a sneak peek at the Brazilian actor golfing on tonight's episode:

You can tell he is Brazilian from the way he says "golf." Thanks Carlos for the heads up.

Stalking Rodrigo Santoro

From Hawaii to Rio: the actor landed in Brazil yesterday, the day of his much anticipated debut on Lost, to visit his family.

Speaking of his Lost debut, I have not watched the episode yet, but take a look at a clip with Rodrigo Santoro from the end of last night's episode:

Guess who makes a debut on American TV tonight?

I complained about the shirt before, but he can work it. Rodrigo Santoro will join the cast of Lost tonight. Do not miss it, and check out his interview below:

Good accent. I will have to download it tomorrow morning on iTunes since I am in Brazil.