It’s hard to believe we lost John F. Kennedy, Jr. 10 years ago this month. Can you remember where you were 10 years ago and what you were doing when you heard the horrible news that his plane was MIA? If you’re from the NYC area, you’ll recall that Friday night had a mysterious haze to it, one which you can’t even imagine flying a plane by visual cues.

So, as I think about celebs in the news there’s nothing bigger than our nation’s royalty as it relates to Camelot. Although times were certainly different when he and his sister Caroline grew up under the microscope, their mother Jacqueline certainly made their privacy a priority.  I can’t imagine how many magazines in this day and age would try to snap their photos if they only had the opportunity. Better yet – one can surmise the cash amounts associated with snagging a private photo of them.

Anyway, John-John would have been 48-years-old at the present time and who knows what type of political ambitions he may have seen to fruition. As our nation collectively mourned his loss, I remember watching news programs which indicated our country lost “a son.” Now, since I wasn’t even born when JFK was assassinated to see that monumental salute by his son, to my generation John F. Kennedy, Jr. was more of an icon, perhaps a cool prince, a devastatingly handsome and successful guy.

In any case, let’s not forget him nor his wife, Carolyn and her sister. R.I.P.

What do you think? Since John’s tragic death, has anyone perhaps taken the “throne” of being America’s prince – not in a Hollywood-type way but rather in a classic, regal American way?

(Photo: USA Today)

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As I awoke from a nap last week (I know, I know, tough life, huh? Ha!) I couldn’t believe my eyes. After all, I had just heard about Farrah Fawcett’s passing and then, all of a sudden, a larger than life legend was gone in the very same day?!

While it was sad to hear about Michael Jackson’s untimely death, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by his upbringing. Talk about paparazzi parenting! Remember the Jackson 5? Could you imagine raising your family and having one breakout star among your seven children? How would you treat all the kids? Equally? Different? Special treatment? Hmmm.

All of the reports encompassed so many facets of the performer’s life. I remember being in grade school when Thriller came out. Man oh man, did we have to get that glove! Or how about his influence with MTV and the video scene? Or the famous moonwalk? And then there are those off-the-stage antics as well. The drastic change of appearance for one and then the court cases about his various relationships with boys. The Neverland Ranch. The marriage to Lisa Marie Presley. The list is endless. But here’s the beauty of it: whenever I hear his music and I’m in a store, on the elliptical machine, or even gallivanting in Europe, I’ve never thought about his sordid life. It was always about appreciating the cool tunes.

When you look at the man, the myth, the legend, it’s hard to believe he’s gone. It’s also hard to imagine being the parent of such an international pop icon, demanding answers about his death, fighting for custody of his children. Now a family is left to mourn and, although the world is grieving along with them, I wonder when the reports will simmer down so the family may be private about their very public son.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson.

And, on a lighter note, I am smiling when I think about how much joy he brought so many with his music as I enjoy some of my favorite MJ songs like ABC and Pretty Young Thing.

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Like him or not, Mike Tyson has suffered a major blow no boxing ring could ever bestow upon him. Tyson’s four-year-old daughter, Exodus, passed away last week after getting caught in a treadmill cable at home.

The horror! Exodus’ seven-year-old brother found her hanging from the cable and then immediately alerted their mother. She removed the cable and called 911 ASAP. Apparently, Exodus was playing on the treadmill and somehow slipped into the cord underneath the console but, sadly, it acted like a noose.

Even typing that just gave me the chills. Exodus was on life support at the hospital for about a day before she passed away. The following statement was released:

“The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time.”

R.I.P. Exodus Tyson.

Sadly, it’s a stark reminder how fragile life is and how no celebrity, regardless of their fame or bank accounts, is immune to life’s twists and turns.

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It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Other than a missing child, a sick child can be equally heart wrenching.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony seem to have it all. Fame, fortune, love, and finally — family!  However, only three short weeks after their twins were born they noticed something frightening. They found a lump on their daughter’s head.  This is where the whole gliteratti, paparazzi, bestselling albums, worldwide tours, moolah, houses, and jet-setting disintegrate into nothing. At the end of the day, they’re parents. They’re people. Their concern is for their precious babies.

Well, fortunately, after a slew of tests their daughter was fine. And this is where we realize so many others may not be in the same situation. For Jennifer and Marc, we’re assuming the medical bills were a no-brainer. As for the rest of America? Hmmm.

The altruistic Jennifer teamed up with the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles to create the Maribel Foundation. The foundation will help provide pediatric medical services to struggling families. Kudos to J. Lo! Even though celeb parents’ struggles may be the same as common-folk, financially speaking when it comes to medical bills there is definitely not an even playing field. It’s refreshing to see the A-lister give back to the community.

Do you think celebrities have an obligation to give back given their ability to generate buzz through their star power, financial prowess, and media spotlight? Or is it simply an optional somethin’-somethin’ driven by their inner sense of well-being and altruistic nature?

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I never took acting in college, but wish I had. This is where I insert the appropriate terminology such as Exit Stage Right. So I’ll just pretend.

Natasha Richardson’s tragic accident in Canada can’t help but get you thinking. Life. It’s frail. It’s fragile. Truly, it’s a gift we often take for granted. Immersed in your life one day, enjoying time with your family, within fleeting moments your very same family could be mourning your death.

As much as celebrities are in the public eye, the grieving process should give them some sense of privacy. One would hope, at least. Natasha was at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan prior to her death and I can only hope the paparazzi didn’t camp out in the UES for a shot of Liam and their kids.

That’s just it: Natasha seemed to have it all. A fantabulous career. A wonderful marriage. Adoring sons. After reading her obituary, sadness aside, there was a glimmer of hope. Something refreshing in an otherwise somber moment.

Despite the uberglam Tinseltown life, she seemed down to earth. Like a real mom you’d find anywhere in the ‘burbs. Technically, celebs are real people and sometimes we tend to forget that.

If I were to hold a candle right now, this is where I’d blow it out. Or the curtain would drop.

And the stage lights would fade to black.

What’s better than a celeb who uses their publicity for good rather than evil? Okay, not quite sure what I meant by “evil,” but instead of simply posing on red carpets in the latest Marc Jacobs frocks or squabbling in the press for a he said/she said break up, you gotta love what celeb mama Jenny McCarthy is doing to shine a spotlight on autism awareness.

McCarthy’s tackling a serious topic close to home. Jenny’s son, Evan Joseph, is autistic. Check this out: the former Playboy Playmate and Singled Out star on MTV (Remember that show? Gawd, beginning to feel old here. It was on the air after school my senior year of… high school!) served as a spokesperson from July 2007 through October 2008 for Talk About Curing Autism, an organization that provides information, resources, and support to families affected by autism. She participated in online chats, fundraisers, and non-profits to help parents affected by autism disorders.

As if that’s not enough, her book, Louder than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism (Plume, 2008) addresses the journey of a mom dealing with her son’s autism diagnosis and treatment, instilling light, hope, and faith.

It’s particularly interesting how she isn’t really in the news for many projects lately, doesn’t talk extensively about her beau Jim Carrey, but does manage to channel the bright spotlight on autism.

Ms. McCarthy’s been pretty outspoken about vaccinations as she told Oprah her son was developing normally until he got his measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Although Jenny’s claims that vaccines cause autism lack medical evidence, we give her props for being passionate about giving a voice to a health issue close to her heart.

What do you think of Jenny’s crusade – too outspoken when it comes to vaccinations or just right in terms of shining a bright light on an otherwise hush-hush topic?

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When you’re a celeb, there’s a certain - how shall we put this? – “baggage” that comes with the territory of being recognized 24/7.

Going to Starbucks in your sweatpants? Well, you’ll likely be photographed. Partying it up with Paris Hilton ’til all hours of the night? That’ll make the gossip rags, too. But when it comes to tragedies and coping with sad personal news, we can’t imagine anything worse than having to grieve in the public eye.

Coronation Street and Hollyoaks stars Kym Marsh and Jamie Lomas are experiencing this firsthand. Their son, Archie Jay Lomas, passed away after his premature delivery at 22-weeks gestation. The couple issued this statement: “Archie is our beautiful angel and we will miss him so much.”

Archie was due in June, so the couple is dealing with the emotions that went from a happy pregnancy to an unfortunate sad ending. The couple have children from previous relationships: Kym has a 13-year-old son, David, and 10-year-old daughter, Emily. Jamie has a two-year-old son, Billy.

We can’t imagine having to issue a statement about dealing with a personal loss. Although some may argue that celebrities must deal with both the good and bad news of being in the public eye, it still seems odd to have everyone know about both your triumphs and your tragedies.

What do you think – should celeb couples have privacy during personal times or should they just expect it to be part of the territory?