Category Archives: News

Hey guys new article about the oil spill, head over to Zap2it to read the rest of the article, it’s pretty overwhelming.

Somerhalder says that things aren’t getting any better for the residents of the Gulf Coast, especially for Grand Isle, which he calls “ground zero.”

“I just was on the phone with the park manager of the Grand Isle State Park,” he tells us. “She said that the oil is now coming back into the lagoons, and she said it’s significantly worse. As she’s sitting there talking to me she’s watching two dolphins stuck in that oil, swimming around in the lagoon. She got very emotional about it. She goes, ‘I just want to let you know, in case you haven’t heard, there’s a giant oil slick several miles out into the gulf that’s coming right to us.’ So they’re about to get hit again with a massive oil slick, again. It’s never-ending.”

Ian Somerhalder has been singularly focused on the disaster in the Gulf since the pipe burst over two months (good lord) ago. He’s constantly called attention to the ecological catastrophe in interviews, on Twitter and anywhere a mic was placed near his mouth. But Ian found himself shocked to be the only tub thumper.

“Coming from the entertainment world, I’m really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is,” the actor told E! Online earlier this month. “And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I’m really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. I think a telethon is a good way to funnel money into these channels…We need to set one of those things up to really paint a picture of exactly how much devastation is here.”

Well Ian is no longer alone as dozens of stars stood shoulder to shoulder with him on last night’s CNN “Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help” telethon that raised over $1.7 million so far. Round of applause please.

But that’s not enough — we can’t limit our donations to one night, so please click here for information on three essential foundations that need your help in order to properly clean up the Gulf.

Fireball was a fantasy themed film that premiered on the Syfy network early in 2009. Now, a year later the film is available today on DVD through MTI Home Video. The film stars Ian Somerhalder (“The Vampire Diaries”) as an investigator curious about a prison fire which leaves several inmates seared. Fireball also stars Aleks Paunovic (“Battlestar Galactica”) as a “former footbal star” and convict who, through mutation, is able to wield fire on a whim.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ star Ian Somerhalder
is not happy about his peers lack of action over the disastrous BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Coming from the entertainment world, I’m really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is,” Somerhalder, 31, tells E! Online. “And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I’m really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. This is ground zero right now. This place is going to need money, that is the bottom line.”

CNN’s Larry King and producer and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest are doing something about the situation. Together they will bring a Gulf Aid telethon Monday, June 21, with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, who has been reporting live from the Gulf region since the disaster unfolded months ago. Covington, Louisiana native Ian Somerhalder is confirmed to be part of the televised fundraiser.

The Telethon special, which will air at 9 p.m. ET Monday (June 21), will raise money for three charities: The United Way, the National Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy.

The United Way is providing emergency help for people affected by the spill, both the National Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy are involved in cleanup efforts.

Along with Ian, the celebrity participants in the telethon are Gulf Coast natives Harry Connick Jr., Aaron Neville, Tim McGraw, James Carville, Mary Matalin, Alyssa Milano, Sting, Robert Redford, Ted Danson, Melania and Ivanka Trump, Chelsea Handler, Jenny McCarthy, Lenny Kravitz, Pete Wentz, Tyson Ritter, Edward James Olmos and Philippe Cousteau.

Have you heard of the latest Louisiana hot spot, the “Prius cabana suite”?

It’s what Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder calls the place he just spent the night.

“That would be my rental car that I had to sleep in,” Ian explains. “I couldn’t find anywhere to stay. There’s so many people here trying to tame this beast.”

That “beast” is the devastating BP oil spill affecting a vast area that includes Ian’s home state of Louisiana, which he is visiting now in an effort to help. Our E! News cameras just caught up with him exclusively…

Make sure you check out E! News tonight at 7 for Ian’s full report.

And above, check out more exclusive video with Ian in Louisiana.

Ian tells us he’s hoping more people will get involved in relief efforts–especially those in the Industry.

“Coming from the entertainment world, I’m really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is,” the actor admits. “And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I’m really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. I think a telethon is a good way to funnel money into these channels…We need to set one of those things up to really paint a picture of exactly how much devastation is here.

“This is ground zero right now,” Ian adds, as he surveys more of the devastating effects of the spill in the region. “I’m looking at this slick of oil. I’ve been watching pelicans die…This place is going to need money, that is the bottom line–money in the right hands to replant these marshes.”

This was actually Ian’s second trip to the region in recent weeks. He is from Covington, La., and is very involved with St. Tammany’s Humane Society, a local animal shelter that has been caring for pelicans affected by the spill. You can get more information on the organization here and on Twitter.

Ian went to his hometown a few weeks ago to tape a PSA that would draw attention to the oil spill and how it is affecting local wildlife. And after finishing a press tour in Monte Carlo, he returned this week to see what he can do to help.

“You know, it’s crazy,” Ian says, “which really breaks my heart…If you look at all these beaches right here. It’s a June afternoon–this beach would be littered with families, kids playing, dads on the pier with their buddies fishing. None of that’s here…The things you remember, the times you spent with your parents or your grandparents, brothers, sisters, fishing and learning about the ecology here is…it’s your base, it’s your root and you’ll do anything, you will fight tooth and nail to protect it.”

A Mandeville native turned Hollywood vampire actor is trying to get the spotlight on the oil spill. “The Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder was back in Louisiana to see the progress in Grand Isle.

You may recognize him from the number one show on the CW network. Ian Somerhalder is an actor in “The Vampire Diaries.” He grew up in Mandeville and has been spending a lot of time back home.

“People don’t really know what’s going on here. They don’t understand the severity of it and that’s troubling to me,”

he says.

Ian is talking about the oil spill. He spent the day in Grand Isle and is extremely frustrated at what he saw.

“There were tide pools where there is usually just an abundance of life. Hermit crabs and fish and cranes. All dead.”

But that’s not all that’s frustrating him.

“We have to sit back and ask ourselves and ask the government and find out why this took so long to fix, and who’s going to help rebuild it and more importantly, who’s going to pay for it,”

he says.

Plus, he doesn’t understand why Hollywood counterparts haven’t rallied behind Louisiana with fundraisers or telethons.

“I was literally asking myself, ‘Where is Hollywood in this? Where are they?’ The people who love this area. The Brad Pitts of the world. Where are they? I don’t know.”

But a bit of success. Ian got a call from Larry King who’s planning a telethon to raise money for oil spill victims next week.

“As an American, your fellow country men and are fighting tooth and nail for their survival,”

he says. And he says reviving the gulf and the livelihood of the state isn’t going to be easy, but he says it can be done.

The telethon is coming up. It will air on CNN Monday, June 21st.

TEEN CHOICE 2010 will celebrate the hottest teen icons in film, television, music, sports and fashion in the choicest, star-studded two-hour event airing Monday, Aug. 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Starting today, fans ages 13-19 can vote once each day for their favorite TEEN CHOICE 2010 nominees at www.teenchoiceawards.com. Performers, presenters and additional nominees will be announced soon.

Ian is up for one award in the category of Choice TV: Villain, please go vote for him.

Who: The Vampire Diaries’ Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder)

Why: Some looks may be timeless, but this centuries-old vampire knows the importance of updating his wardrobe with some trendsetting bite.

Style Tip: Whether mortal or immortal, nothing says “I’m trouble—and now I want to suck on your neck” better than a black leather jacket, T-shirt, and jeans.

Who: The Vampire Diaries’ Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder)

Why: Some looks may be timeless, but this centuries-old vampire knows the importance of updating his wardrobe with some trendsetting bite.

Style Tip: Whether mortal or immortal, nothing says “I’m trouble—and now I want to suck on your neck” better than a black leather jacket, T-shirt, and jeans.

Ian Somerhalder nominated for Best New Bad Guy in TV.com’s NOW Awards: