Forget life as a pop megastar — what Michael Jackson really wanted was to be immortalised as a big-screen idol after his death.

The late entertainer admired song and dance stars from the golden age of Hollywood, including his heroes Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, and wanted to emulate their success.

The 50-year-old singer revealed his deepest desire in his secret diary, writing: “If I don’t concentrate (on) film, no immortalisation.”

He added that he wanted to be “better than Kelly and Astaire… the greatest ever.”

The entry was made just months before Michael died of a drug overdose on June 25, 2009 at his home in the posh Holmby Hills neighbourhood of Los Angeles, according to excepts from his diary published by The New York Post’s Page Six column on Friday.

The diary reveals just how much the star depended on his now discredited doctor, Conrad Murray, to administer the prescription drugs that helped him to sleep.

— Daily Mail

‘I am a perpetually tortured artist,’ laments Lady Gaga

With her clear intent to shock and make headlines, her array of outrageous and revealing outfits are endless.

But Lady Gaga is finally seen in a softer and more demure light in a new photo shoot for US Elle magazine.

The 27-year-old songstress swaps her usual PVC, lingerie-inspired and downright bizarre ensembles for sophisticated haute couture.

Gaga’s hair and make-up are also pared back, with the wig-loving star wearing her platinum blonde locks coiffed into soft curls and minimal make-up on her complexion.

One image, however, sees the Born This Way Star flash a bit of leg as she poses in a cream minidress and heavily embellished knee-high boots.

But on the following page, Gaga is covered up from head-to-toe in a long feathered skirt and button-up white shirt.

In an accompanying interview with the magazine, Gaga laments that she is a “perpetually tortured artist” who struggled to get to the top of her game.

— Daily Mail

Banter from the Beatles on their new album

It’s news that will please, please many Beatles fans — although some may wish they let it be.

A new Beatles album is to be released, comprising previously unreleased recordings of early hits and cover versions plus studio banter by the band.

The tracks, from BBC radio broadcasts in 1963 and 1964, include 37 performances which have never been issued before, together with 23 tracks of conversations.

The new album On Air — Live At The BBC Volume 2 will be released on November 11.

It is a follow-up to a 1994 collection of BBC recordings which sold more than five million copies worldwide in six weeks. On the new album will be 40 performances across a double CD package.

There will also be a vinyl version for collectors.

The Beatles performed a huge number of songs at the BBC between March 1962 and June 1965.

They appeared on 39 radio shows in 1963, and on one day alone, July 16, recorded 18 songs for the Pop Go The Beatles series.

In all, they played 88 different songs during those stints. “Everything was done instantly,” George Harrison once recalled.

The original Live At The BBC has been remastered and will be re-released on November 11.

— Daily Mail