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“I’m sorry.”

The news is full of high-profile figures who are shouting their disappointments regarding past behavior. Maybe they said something that was so over-the-top it sparked an “oh hell naw” moment, or did something that deserved a beating from their mama. And if you think this is just limited to people, you best to think again as companies are now taking to the apology soapbox with their “forgive me” pleas.

Have you ever done something wrong that you needed to ask for forgiveness so it wouldn’t tarnish your brand? Here are some tips on giving a professional apology from the life lessons of celebs and companies.

Love can blossom anywhere. For most actors and celebrities, love usually springs forth with a fellow star but these 15 celebs bucked Hollywood trends and married ordinary people.

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Proving that Cupid can strike anywhere, Matt Damon was on location in Miami in 2003 to film the movie Stuck On You. While visiting a local bar one night, Damon would meet the love of his life, Luciana Barroso, behind the counter. Damon made his move on the single mother of one. Two years later they were married. Now the couple has four daughters. In an interview with UK’s “The Guardian,” Damon gushed about “My wife is my soul mate. I can’t imagine being without her.”

Source: AP Images

I wasn’t the only one surprised that Reese Witherspoon ended up in jail this past weekend. And not so much that she ended up in jail, but how she landed there. After her husband, Jim Toth, was arrested for drunk driving, Reese started popping off at one of the officers. Understandable. Though her husband was clearly in the wrong, we all know that the police can be a bit obnoxious and even go so far as abusing their power in making legit arrests. I can understand watching your husband being handcuffed is stressful and unpleasant. But what surprised me about Reese’s encounter with the officers was not that she had something to say to them, it was that she tried–and failed– to pull the fame card.

According to TMZ, she low-key used her status to threaten the officer:

 ”You’re about to find out who I am.”

And then, “Do you know my name?”

Ugh. I just figured Reese was more down to earth than that. The one thing us regular folk can’t stand about celebrities and the wealthy is not so much that they have more than many of us can even imagine, it’s the fact that they feel like the rules don’t apply to them. Now, don’t get me wrong I’ve received quite a bit of preferential treatment in my lifetime. (I learned at a very early age that well-behaved students could get away with a lot of minor indiscretions because teachers knew their  ”acting out” was a rare occurrence.) I’m a fan of “the hook-up” because you just so happen to ”know” the right person. We all deserve to feel special sometimes and it’s human nature to help your friends.

But when celebrities expect to get a pass after they break rules or laws that are set in place to protect them and others, it’s a little disgusting. Like, is anyone going to care that you were in Legally Blonde if your intoxicated husband injures or kills someone? Definitely not.

I don’t want to be too hard on Reese though because she’s since apologized for her actions, saying she’s “deeply embarrassed.” Maybe she was just caught up in the moment. The thing is though, she’s not the only celebrity to fall back on this “famous” card.

Rihanna tried it. She was dancing on tables throwing glass all around when management asked her to leave. Instead of calming down, or leaving the place where she was no longer wanted, she said: “Do they know who I am?”  And in her case, it worked. Not only did Rih Rih not have to leave, the club sent free drinks to her table. If somebody’s face had gotten cut up during her shenanigans, the club would have certainly regretted that decision.

I remember back in high school, a group of girls I knew were arrested for stealing from Victoria’s Secret. One of these girls just so happened to be the daughter of the community college’s head football coach. I guess she had taken one too many sips of the “fame” kool-aid. Because as she was being arrested she said to the cops, Do you know who my father is? Gurl boo. Not only did he most likely not know who your father was; even if he had known, it wouldn’t have made a lick of difference. We didn’t live in a po-dunk town in the middle of no where and her father wasn’t coaching a Division 4 team. Those handcuffs were going to stay on. That line became the running joke at school for at least a month. What were you thinking?!

When celebrities attempt to throw their fame around one minute and then claim they’re just like the rest of us in the next, they’re going to have to get the severe side eye.

The whole thing reminds me of a Jay-Z lyric from his song “Lost Ones”:

Except that fame is
The worst drug known to man
It’s stronger than, heroin
When you could look in the mirror like, “There I am”
And still not see, what you’ve become
I know I’m guilty of it too but not like them.

Reese apologized and we can’t really judge her for her actions knowing that if the tables were turned we just might have behaved similarly.

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There was a time when Eddie Murphy ruled the box office. Films like Trading Places and Coming to America were mega hits. But times have changed for Murphy, and now according to a Forbes survey (via Statista), Murphy, whose last movie A Thousand Words failed to lure in moviegoers, is the most overpaid actor in Hollywood.

“Eddie Murphy’s past three movies generated only $2.30 at the box office for every dollar of his salary, making him the most overpaid actor in Hollywood last year,” reports the Huffington Post. Murphy is going to try his luck next on television. He is reprising his role from the 1984 classic film Beverly Hills Cop for a TV show.

Following Murphy on the overpaid actors list is Katherine Heigl. The actress brings in only $3.40 for every dollar of her salary. The crime thriller One For the Money in which she starred as a divorcee who starts working at a family member’s bail-bond business, recovered less than its $40-million budget at the box office worldwide. Heigl is next to star alongside Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, and Amanda Seyfried in the romantic comedy The Big Wedding, in theaters later this month. Given the time of year and the cast lineup, she could have much more success with that.

Rounding out the top three on this not-so-great list was Reese Witherspoon, whose flicks earn just $3.90 per dollar of her paycheck.

Apparently being in a relationship with a beautiful and successful woman just isn’t enough for some men, perhaps even a lot of men depending on who you ask. Why can’t they be content with what they’ve got? We have no clue, but it’ quite strange considering many of these men cheat on women who they should probably be thanking their lucky stars ever even gave them the time of day to begin with. That’s certainly the case with these starlets below. Check out the women most entertainment stans were shocked to find were cheated on — and especially by these men.

Source: WENN

Halle Berry

Eric Benet had to have been all the way out his mind when he decided to cheat on ex-wife Halle Berry. She’s gorgeous, wealthy and talented – something you don’t find in just anybody. And considering Eric hadn’t recorded a hit in… forever, he probably should’ve thought twice before fudging up a relationship that seemingly benefited him more than her.

Source: Artist Info Blogspot

Picture “Glee” for adults. That’s the feel of a new musical comedy Beyonce is set to star in once she wraps “A Star is Born.”

Bey is just one of a few big names for the Sony Pictures movie “One Hit Wonders” which is designed to be a star vehicle for her, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, and Andy Samberg. Gwen, Reese, and Cameron will play three singers who each scored a top hit song in the ’90s before their careers went down the drain. The ladies then decide to form a super group—which is where I’m assuming Beyonce comes in—but there’s no official word on what her role will be just yet.

The idea for the flick apparently came out of a dinner Ryan Murphy, who will produce and direct the film, had at his home with Gwyneth, Reese, and Cameron who wanted to do something fun together. Ryan will bring on fellow “Glee” creators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan for the project so that already gives you an idea of what to expect. It might be nice to see Beyonce take on a funny role though.

What do you think about the idea for this script? Would you check it out?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Call it superstition or just plain crazy but there is something to be said about the infamous “Oscar curse”.  The belief is that any woman who wins the “Best Actress” award will somehow be divorced shortly after. Even if one doesn’t believe in it, it’s hard to explain the coincidences of Sandra Bullock (2010), Kate Winslet (2009), Reese Witherspoon (2006), Hilary Swank (2005), Halle Berry (2002) and Julia Roberts (2001) all of whose marriages/relationships ended right after the Oscars.

This year’s Oscar front-runner appears to be Viola Davis, who played the leading role in The Help, and many are scratching their heads and wondering: if she is the winner, will her 9-year marriage to actor Julius Tennon crash and burn like her category sisters?

Find out the 3 reasons why some of Hollywood’s leading ladies fall victim to the curse and how they and other successful single ladies can prevent the destruction of their relationships after huge success. Read Here

Have you noticed that in the entertainment industry, everyone feels like they can crossover from field to field? Actors become singers, singers become actors, actors become authors etc.  But are they all truly talented in these varied fields, or do they simply get bored with their current job?  Whether they were discovered during a movie or have branched out into the music world on their own, these celebs have crossed over successfully.

Take a look at these 8 celebrities who actually have vocal talent….

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