(12 January 2007 1:00 pm)

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate News Corp's social networking site MySpace has launched a new celebrity website.

Fans can check out profiles of more than 300 celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Foxx, Zach Braff and Britney Spears.

The site, called MySpace Celebrity, can be accessed at http://celebrity.myspace.com. The content channel is focused on entertainment and culture-related news, blogs, videos and events. The new hub will be the premier online destination for celebrities to communicate directly with their fans and for the MySpace community to interact with their favourite stars.

The announcement unveils more than 300 official celebrity MySpace profiles housed within the new channel including actors, musicians, athletes, comedians and socialites.

MySpace president and co-founder Tom Anderson says, “MySpace Celebrity is Hollywood’s new home page. Celebrities have been using MySpace since the site’s launch, and it’s a natural extension for us to now offer them an aggregated channel where they can be in control of their own image. We want MySpace users to connect with celebrities in the same way that they do with musicians.”

The format and reach of MySpace enables celebrities to promote their projects, voice their opinions, dispute rumours, control their image and communicate with their fans. With the launch of MySpace Celebrity, MySpace users now have a dedicated platform to participate in celebrity culture and news. MySpace Celebrity provides fans the opportunity to become friends with celebrities, send them messages, post comments to profile pages and share celebrity videos.

The launch of MySpace Celebrity will feature a variety of celebrity content including:

Featured Icon – The most coveted spot on MySpace Celebrity where stars can discuss current projects and share photos and blogs. Matthew McConaughey has provided MySpace Celebrity with an exclusive Q&A. Upcoming featured icons will include 50 Cent, Zach Braff and Jessica Alba.

Behind The Scenes – Here one can enjoy behind-the-scenes video footage with celebrities. Elijah Wood and Heloise Williams (Simian Records) have provided MySpace Celebrity with a video. Upcoming segments will include Samantha Ronson and Lisa Rinna.

Video – This includes original MySpace programmes such as MySpace Presents: The Fit. The show gives users a look into the closets of their favourite celebrities, musicians and artists.

Celebrity Impact – MySpace Celebrity will highlight celebrity endorsed charities and will feature an exclusive interview and photos with the affiliated celebrity. Art of Elysium supporter Balthazar Getty has provided MySpace Celebrity with an exclusive Q&A and photos from a day spent with children at Los Angeles Shriners Hospital. Upcoming Celebrity Impact features to include America’s Second Harvest with Teri Hatcher.

Rising Star – Features up-and-coming talent discussing projects and features exclusive photos, video or blogs. Breakthrough actress Ellen Page provided MySpace Celebrity with an exclusive video.

Celebrity Q&A – Features exclusive interviews with celebrities discussing relevant topics, news and gossip. The Office’s Jenna Fischer has provided MySpace Celebrity with an exclusive Q&A. Upcoming interviews to include One Republic and Olivia Wilde.

Celebrity Blog – MySpace Celebrity will feature noteworthy celebrity blogs daily. Past blogs have included Tom Hanks’ summer reading list and Ashley Tisdale discussing her recent plastic surgery.

Celebrity News – People.com will be the exclusive partner for news articles for MySpace Celebrity, providing the latest celebrity news as it breaks.

Celebrity Photos – Getty Images will provide the latest celebrity photos on a daily basis.