Alternative rock star Marilyn Manson isn’t rocking anything except the swine flu these days. Although the possibility still remains that this report may be a ploy for attention, like his extreme style choices and shocking persona, he reports on his Facebook page that it has been confirmed by a “real doctor.” Let’s hope his recovery is as successful as his career!

Marilyn Manson was born in Canton, Ohio with the moniker Brian Hugh Warner before taking on the persona of the rock star he’s known as today. He attended Heritage Christian School, Cardinal Gibbons High School in Florida, and Broward Community College. While earning a degree in journalism, he wrote music articles for lifestyle magazine 25^th Parallel to gain experience.

He soon formed the band Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids (soon shortened to Marilyn Manson), along with two other small band projects along the way. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails noticed the band and produced Marilyn Manson’s first album, titled Portrait of an American Family on Nothing Records label. The band gathered a cult-like following and continues to have success today.

Music isn’t Marilyn Manson’s only talent. He made his big screen debut in Lost Highway, and continues to enjoy small acting parts and cameos in movies such as Jawbreaker. He also prides himself as an artist, with his first show, The Golden Age of Grotesque, at the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions Centre.

Now at age 40, this shock rocker continues to enjoy the music scene, is currently working on adding director to his resume with project Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll, and focuses on shaking his case of the swine flu.

Do you let your cute kids listen to this shock rocker? Or is he banned for his extreme lifestyle?

High School Musical star Zac Efron is rumored to be heading to a guest-starring role on the HBO series Entourage. It’s been reported that he has already begun filming for episodes appearing this summer. Whether he’s trying to change his image or just simply taking the road his stardom has paved for him, this former cute kid has definitely hit hot star status at only 21 years old.

Born in San Luis Obispo, California, and raised in Arroyo Grande, California, Zac’s 4.3 grade point average backs his claims that he took academics seriously. Before graduating from Arroyo Grande High School, he appeared in school theatre productions such as Peter Pan and Little Shop of Horrors, worked at The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville theater, and took singing lessons. His drama teacher recommended Zac to a Los Angeles agent and he was signed to the Creative Artists Agency.

Although Zac was accepted into the University of Southern California, he deferred enrollment for acting gigs. He did, however, attend Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. His first gigs were in the form of guest roles on TV series such as ER. He eventually starred on the TV series Summerland. He’s appeared on several shows since, including a starring role in a made-for-TV movie on Lifetime, but it was his role in the original Disney Channel movie High School Musical for which he is most well known.

The HSM movies secured Zac’s status as an actor, singer, and teen star, and even landed him on People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People list in 2007. He has since starred in big screen movies Hairspray and 17 Again, but his career shows no sign of stopping there.

Do you think Zac Efron is being labeled as a musical actor/singer, or is there hope for his career to grow?

[photo: Toby Forage]

Justin Timberlake proved he’s no stranger to fashion when he arrived with girlfriend Jessica Biel at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala wearing his own design, William Rast. From recording artist to fashion founder, is there anything that JT doesn’t do?

Born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Shelby Forest, Tennessee, Justin dipped his toe into the singing world with his appearance on Star Search, a television program aimed at finding the next big star. By 1993, he joined The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with famous castmates Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and JC Chasez. When the show ended, Justin and JC joined the boy band that became known as ‘N Sync.

The band’s albums broke music sales records, but this third-best-selling boy band in history never officially disbanded. As ‘N Sync went on hiatus, Justin’s solo career continued to skyrocket. Justin’s acting debut came during his time with the band in the Disney Channel movie Model Behavior.

After JT’s Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction” with Janet Jackson, he put his recording career on hold to appear in such films as Alpha Dog, Black Snake Moan, and others before refocusing on his music career. By 2005, he launched his own record company called JayTee Records. From collaboration with top artists, to writing and performing his own hits, to pulling in laughs while hosting Saturday Night Live, Justin Timberlake proves time and time again that his star isn’t going to stop shining anytime soon.

Who do you think is the most successful former Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cast member: Justin, Britney, or Christina?

[photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com ]

Prince opened up about his childhood in an interview on PBS (on April 27 and 28), sharing that his memories weren’t always golden. Teased as a child, Prince took advantage of the piano his father left behind when he split and became the rock icon we know today.

Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson in 1958, and used his troubled family life as an inspiration to teach himself music. Prince attended the Minnesota Dance Theatre but,  in high school, he and a friend joined a band with Prince’s cousin called Grand Central. With Prince’s initial role on piano and guitar, and eventually vocals, he then began producing the arrangements for the band.

The band Grand Central eventually evolved into Champagne and, by 1976, he made a demo tape with producer Chris Moon. Moon, who introduced him to Owen Husney of The High Spirits, helped Prince produce a high-quality demo and helped him start contacting major labels. Eventually, Warner Bros. Records signed the star we know today.

Do you think music classes should be made more available in school for troubled kids such as Prince?

[photo: Jimi Hughes]

[photo: Robert Whitman]

Young Christopher Maurice Brown is used to being in the spotlight for his singing and Michael Jackson-like dance moves, but the recent incident involving R&B singer girlfriend Rihanna has stopped many from singing his praises.

Born in 1989 in Tappahannock, Virginia, Chris’ talents were apparent at an early age. Dancing and singing for the church choir by age two, by age 13 he was discovered by a local production team searching for new talent when they visited Chris’ father’s gas station. He signed with Jive Records, thanks to an ex-Def Jam Recordings executive who became his manager. By 2005, Chris left school to work on his debut album, which hit #2 on the Billboard 2000.

Several hits and three albums under his belt, his collaboration with major stars combined with his mega-talent has kept him at the top of the R&B game for the last three years. Let’s hope that he gets the help he needs to keep him in the headlines for his true talent: singing and dancing.

Have you forbidden your children to listen to Chris Brown’s music in light of this recent incident?

[Photo by Gemma Mary from Gympie, Australia]

The Jonas Brothers began as a solo act when youngest band member Nick was referred to a talent agent at age six and started singing in a barber shop. By age seven, Nick made his way to Broadway, where his first hit was launched and he was signed by INO Records.

As Nick worked on his solo project, his brother Joe followed his path to Broadway. Columbia Records execs soon came across the track that made Nick get noticed and signed him jointly with INO Records and Columbia Records.

In 2005, the new Columbia Records president decided he did not like Nick’s album, but liked his voice. He then met with Nick and heard a new song, performed by the three brothers, and signed them as a group.

Since releasing three albums, switching record labels, recording for Disney, and starring in the Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock, their star continues to rise together as these three young brothers hit the 3-D big screen with their concert flick last week.

Do you have more than one offspring with talent? The youngest Jonas Brother may have paved the way for this band with the 17-and-under following, but the brotherly band is unique enough to gain notice as a whole!

What do The Jonas Brothers fans in your household think of the band’s new movie release?

[photos from insider.com and fanpop.com]